Christian Teresi opened his varsity career making a couple of double hits on set attempts in his first match for Marist. He ended his career by doubling his number of state championships.
In between, the Ohio State-bound senior setter/right-side hitter created a stellar career that wasn’t going to be defined by those early mistakes all the way back in 2022 against Sandburg.
“Obviously, you make errors,” Teresi said. “You get past it and you think about the next play.”
Teresi, the 2025 Daily Southtown Player of the Year, had a lot of “next plays” to think about as he helped the RedHawks (39-2) roll along in winning their second straight state championship.
A three-time player of the year, Teresi stayed busy with 359 kills, 638 assists, 212 digs, 86 blocks and 28 aces for Marist, which became just the second team from the Southland to repeat as state champs in boys volleyball. Sandburg accomplished the feat in 1999 and 2000.
For his career, Teresi rang up 902 kills, 725 digs, 302 blocks and 132 aces. His 3,258 assists rank him third in the Illinois High School Association record book. Second on that list is Jordan Vidovic, a star setter for Brother Rice from 2002 to 2005.
Vidovic was Teresi’s coach the past four seasons at Marist.
“It’s been a hell of a ride,” Vidovic said. “I’ve known him since he was in second or third grade when he came to a summer camp and I’ve seen him grow. I’ve had a high standard for him.
“He grew as a person and he grew in a lot of other ways.”
Vidovic, who has coached the boys since 2015 at Marist, never had a freshman start the season on the varsity until Teresi walked through the doors.
Teresi confirmed he was nervous for his first match, but despite the rough beginning, he finished with 35 assists in a 23-25, 25-12, 25-13 victory over the host Eagles in Orland Park.
Over the years, Teresi has had a number of incredible matches, but when he added hitting to his game during his sophomore season, he came through with a triple-double of 10 kills, 10 digs and 32 assists against Hinsdale Central.
Even though Vidovic saw a lot of terrific things from Teresi on the court in his first three years, he still wanted a little more this season.
“This year was about the leadership side and forgetting about recognition,” Vidovic said. “I liked that he soaked up one of the best experiences that he will ever have. He has an exciting future.
“But it will never be like this. This year was about enjoying the season with his teammates and how to make them better — how to be remembered as a player in our program.”
Jacob Finley, who shared the setting duties for Marist, saw Teresi as a teacher one minute and then as a player he absolutely had to connect with the next minute.
“He’s a great leader,” Finley said of Teresi. “He’s helped me in practice and in games. It’s a lot of working together.”
After Marist won the state championship by beating Glenbard West 25-20, 25-20 in Hoffman Estates, Teresi took a few seconds for a big hug with his father, Marty.
It was a nice moment because when Christian’s older brother, Colin, was playing club at the 12U level, Marty would take Christian off to the side and pepper with him.
Soon, one of Colin’s coaches called Christian over to practice with the older players. It was the start of what turned out to be an outstanding career.
“My dad would take me to the side and taught me how to play volleyball,” Christian said. “He’s the one who pushed me and he’s the one who made me humble.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
