Talk about the ultimate recruiting tool to entice Lincoln-Way West’s Connor Jaral.
The 6-foot-4 senior outside hitter said he was leaning toward Loras and scheduled a visit on the final weekend in April to the Dubuque, Iowa campus.
That also happened to be the weekend the Duhawks were hosting the NCAA Division III national tournament semifinal and championship matches.
The campus was abuzz with volleyball, and Jaral loved it.
“It was great,” Jaral said. “The school is nice, but it’s even better when everyone is there for volleyball. I love talking volleyball, so I was talking to Loras people and a lot of volleyball people.”
He committed shortly afterward.
As a bonus, Jaral took a trip from the south suburbs to Iowa with Lockport’s Evan Dziadkowiec, one of the top setters in the state. The two roomed together that weekend and were having serious thoughts about the school.
Dziadkowiec also was impressed enough to commit to Loras, which is coached by former Oak Forest standout Dylan Ross.
“We went up there and saw the campus one more time and bonded with the team,” Jaral said. “And we both said, ‘This is where we want to go.’”
With his college decision behind him, Jaral can help Lincoln-Way West (27-7) concentrate on making a deep run in the postseason.
Jaral’s father, Steve, was a freshman on Oak Lawn’s state championship team in 1994. Connor wouldn’t mind bringing another title home to the family.
Steve married another Oak Lawn and Carthage volleyball star, Jenell Murray, so Connor had plenty of volleyball in his upbringing.
“They didn’t force me into it and said they wanted me to play whatever sport I wanted to play,” he said. “But I feel like they always knew it was going to be volleyball.
“I was always around it my entire life. They always watched it and played it and got me into it. I got to play club, and now we’re here.”
Lincoln-Way West coach Jodi Frigo said she appreciates Connor’s dedication to the game and how it can rub off on the rest of his teammates.
“He’s a great senior leader and a very explosive player who loves the sport of volleyball and plays with his whole heart,” she said. “He just loves volleyball so much. He brings the team together and makes them want to play as hard as they can.”
Dziadkowiec has been through the volleyball wars with Jaral both as opponents during the high school season and as teammates in club with Ultimate.
“He’s a great friend and I’ve known him a long time,” Dziadkowiec said of Jaral. “We’ve been at Ultimate a long, long time. I’m going to have fun playing with him in college.”
“There is not a weakness to his game. It’s hard to stop him. And it’s hard for other hitters to hit around him.”
Like Jaral, Dziadkowiec also soaked in the atmosphere of the Division III tourney. California Lutheran won the national title but sweated out a five-set win over Loras in the quarterfinals.
The Lockport star made his decision to attend Loras shortly after those matches.
“I watched some of the best players in the country and I said, ‘I want to be there someday,’’’ Dziadkowiec said.
Jaral, meanwhile, will be glad to keep playing the sport on a competitive level.
“I love the sport because you touch the ball so much,” Jaral said. “Compare it to sports like baseball, where you sit in the bullpen and wait your turn.
“I love the speed of volleyball, and every play I get to touch the ball.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
