In the next several months, sophomore right-side hitter Matthew Muehlnickel will be trying to win a state title for Lincoln-Way East and then a national championship in club.
Muehlnickel is an emerging leader for the Griffins, who finished fourth in the state in 2021 and second last spring. They are the only team to beat reigning state champ Glenbard West.
“I like the chemistry we have,” Muehlnickel said. “We see each other every day. We definitely bond together and stick together really well. I think that helps on the court a lot.
“We all pick each other up.”
Muehlnickel has picked things up for Lincoln-Way East (25-5), heading into Monday’s match against Neuqua Valley with 130 kills, 69 digs, 32 blocks and eight assists.
He’s also on Marist-heavy Adversity 16 Adidas South that’s ranked fourth in the nation in its age group, with its sights set on an AAU national championship July 1 in Orlando.
Speaking of national competition, the 6-foot-3 Muehlnickel returned home from a trip to Washington, D.C., where he was one of 49 players in the 16-17 age group to receive an invitation to USA Volleyball’s national team development program.
Muehlnickel had to miss the weekend’s Midwest Battle Tournament hosted by Fishers, Indiana in Indianapolis, where the Griffins finished third against Indiana and Kentucky powers.
Lincoln-Way East coach Kris Fiore gave Muehlnickel his blessing to miss the tourney.
“This was by invitation only, and he came to me early in the year and said he would like to go to this camp and felt bad that he would have to miss the Indy tournament,” Fiore said. “I told him not to feel bad. He’s the first kid ever in our program to get that invitation.”
Between Lincoln-Way East, Adversity and Team USA coaches giving him lessons, there has been one person who has constantly had Muehlnickel’s ear over the years — his dad, Paul.
Paul was a standout at Stagg who played in college at Luther.
“He helped me become a better player, for sure,” Matthew said of his father. “He’ll take videos, and after a game, he will help me with my mechanics. He will spot something that I’m doing wrong that I may not know.”
Busy night: Stagg held its senior night Thursday against Homewood-Flossmoor and middle hitter Saleh Mustafa was able to play in the first game of a 25-14, 18-25, 25-22 victory.
Mustafa, who knocked down a couple of kills, received hugs from his teammates as he packed his gear. He had to leave after the first game due to a family wedding.
It has been an interesting career for Mustafa.
“Saleh was on the team as a freshman, but then we got shut down by COVID, so he didn’t have much of a season,” Stagg coach Jordan Sintich said. “He did not play his sophomore or junior year and came back this year. He’s been a great addition this season.”
Mustafa was especially valuable early when the Chargers were building the foundation for what could be a winning season.
“We had a very busy spring break and had two tournaments and our other starting middle was not present,” Sintich said. “He really stepped up and did a lot of work in those matches.”
Planted seeds: Postseason seeds are in, and two area teams picked up the top seeds in their respective sectionals.
Marist is seeded first in the 28-team Brother Rice Sectional, while the host Crusaders, St. Rita and Marian Catholic rounded out the top four.
Lincoln-Way East grabbed the top seed at the 16-team subsectional of the Lincoln-Way West Sectional. The host Warriors were seeded second.
Regional action begins May 22.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
