Talk about the ultimate recruiting tool to seduce Lincoln-Way West's Connor Jalal.
The 6-foot-4 senior outside hitter said he is committed to Loras and plans to visit the Dubuque, Iowa, campus the last weekend in April.
It was also the weekend the Duhawks were hosting the semifinal and championship games of the NCAA Division III national tournament.
The campus was full of volleyball, and Jalal loved it.
“It was amazing,” Jalal said. “School is good, but it's even better when everyone is there to play volleyball. I love talking about volleyball, so I was talking to people at Loras and a lot of volleyball people.”
He committed the crime soon after.
As a bonus, Jalal traveled to Iowa from the south suburbs with Lockport's Evan Judkowiec, one of the state's top setters. That weekend, the two of them roomed together and thought seriously about school.
Judkowiec was also impressed enough to commit to Loras, who is coached by former Oak Forest standout Dylan Ross.
“We went there and got another look at the campus and bonded with the team,” Jalal said. “And we both said, 'This is where we want to be.'”
With his college decision behind him, Jalal could help Lincoln-Way West (27-7) focus on doing well in the postseason.
Jalal's father, Steve, was a freshman on Oak Lawn's 1994 state championship team. Connor was willing to bring a new title home to his family.
Steve married Jenelle Murray, another volleyball star from Oak Lawn and Carthage, so Connor was exposed to a lot of volleyball growing up.
“They didn't force me and said they wanted me to play whatever sport I wanted,” he said. “But I feel like they always knew it was going to be volleyball.
“I've always been around it all my life. They always watched it and played it and kept me hooked. I had to play in the club, and now we i am here.”
Lincoln-Way West coach Jody Frigo said he admires Conner's dedication to the game and how it influences other teammates.
“He is a great senior leader and a very explosive player who loves the sport of volleyball and plays with heart,” she said. “He just loves volleyball. He brings the team together and makes them want to play their best.”
Jadkowiec has experienced volleyball wars with Jalal, both as a high school opponent and as club teammates in Ultimate.
“He's a great friend and I've known him for a long time,” Judkowiec said of Jalal. “We've been involved in Ultimate for a long time. I'm going to have fun playing with him in college.”
“There's no weakness in his game. He's hard to stop. And it's hard for other hitters to hit around him.”
Like Jalal, Judkowiec soaked up the atmosphere of the Division III tournament. California Lutheran Church won the national title, but had a hard time in the quarterfinals with a five-set victory over Loras.
The Lockport star committed to join the Loras immediately after those games.
“I looked at the best players in the country and thought, 'I want to go there one day,'” Judkowiec said.
Meanwhile, Jalal would happily continue playing the sport at a competitive level.
“I love this sport because I touch the ball a lot,” Jalal said. “Compare it to a sport like baseball, where you sit in the bullpen and wait your turn.
“I love the speed of volleyball and being able to touch the ball on every play.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
