Grayslake Central’s Madalene Meckl has a wide range of interests.
Or challenges to tackle.
Meckl rides horses. She has played the bassoon in concerts. She’s one of the Rambassadors, who make school welcoming and fun. She’s a student representative on the principal advisory committee.
“No one is as diverse as Madalene,” Grayslake Central coach Arian Colton said.
No other Lake County team is as successful this season as the Rams (14-3, 3-0), and Meckl is one of the reasons. Through 13 matches, the 5-foot-5 junior libero had a team-high 66 digs and ranked second with 16 aces.
Colton, who also coaches Meckl in club volleyball, called her “a big-time player for us.”
“Her defense is just so strong, also her serving,” Colton said. “She hits zones and forces teams out of system. Her serve-receive always has been good, but it’s been much improved from last year.”
So is Grayslake Central, which went 20-12 and finished third in the Northern Lake County Conference last year. The Rams, who are trying to win their third conference title in four years, have beaten every Lake County team they’ve played this season, including Libertyville, Mundelein, Warren and Carmel. They won most of those matches in straight sets, and two of their three losses were against undefeated Richmond-Burton.
Grayslake Central junior setter Amelia Lacroix said Meckl’s contributions to that success go beyond the numbers.
“Madalene is a very talented player not only because of the physical aspect of the game, but also the mental aspect on the court,” Lacroix said. “Madalene can always tell if someone is in their head or why they are struggling. She helps push them out of that negative space. She’s also able to physically be a leader on the court, and that’s a key component in our success.”
Grayslake Central junior middle hitter Niah Mondesir noted Meckl is an intelligent player too.
“Madalene is a very quick and smart thinker on the court, which makes her read most balls that people wouldn’t get,” Mondesir said. “She’s able to get to the floor quick and efficiently when we need her to, and she’s very smart and dedicated off the court.
“Her persistence to take on challenges is contagious and inspires people around her.”
Meckl, who had 222 digs and 42 aces to earn all-conference honors last season, is a third-year starter and wants to continue playing volleyball — and also study pre-med — in college.
“What drives me to be a well-rounded student athlete is wanting to play at the next level, and with that I have to be a good student-athlete and make sure I’m performing at a high academic level,” she said. “I’ve always been self-driven and super hard on myself to get straight A’s.”
Meckle is also driven to lead Grayslake Central on an extended run in the postseason.
“I’m an upperclassman now, so I’ve been really reflecting on that and trying to put my best foot forward,” she said. “Even as a freshman, I had people tell me I was so calm. Now I see that, so I’ve been flourishing. I knew I had to step it up this year.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
