Lukas Slesers wasn’t easily distracted when he watched his older sister Larisa and older brother Aleks play volleyball.
“I loved how energetic it was,” Lukas Slesers said.
Libertyville boys volleyball coach Jenny Smith noticed.
“He actually sat and watched the games,” Smith said. “Some kids don’t pay attention, like my son, who would chuck a tennis ball against the wall during the games when he was little.
“But Lukas was always watching Aleks play, and I think that was a big key in him being very successful.”
Indeed, Lukas Slesers has become one of the best players on one of the best teams in the state. The 6-foot-3 senior outside hitter leads the Wildcats (20-1, 5-0), who are in first place in the North Suburban Conference, in kills (174), serve receptions (237) and serve percentage (94%), and he’s second in digs (76) and hitting (.305).
Smith calls him “Mr. Consistent.”
But Lukas Slesers, who is also a team captain, wasn’t so dominant earlier in his high school career. He was promoted to the varsity team as a sophomore in 2024, just two years after Aleks Slesers helped the Wildcats reach the state semifinals.
“The biggest growth I’ve seen in Lukas is his confidence,” Smith said. “Coming in as a young guy onto varsity is a hard spot to be in. You don’t want to mess up, and you’re like, ‘What am I doing?’
“Since then, I’ve seen him grow into the outside one position, where he’s the guy who has to get the kill. This year is hands down the best he’s been playing, and I think it’s purely because he’s got confidence in himself.”
Lukas Slesers was 5-8 when he started high school.
“When he stepped into our program, he was still kind of on the small side,” Smith said. “We were like, ‘Well, he comes from a volleyball family. He knows the sport. He’s been watching it in the stands for 10 years before he got here.’
“Even though he was little, we noticed right away that he’s got great court sense, and he’s very athletic.”
Lukas Slesers developed that court sense early.
“Reading hitters on the other side was coming to me supernaturally,” he said. “I just understood it right away. When I saw somebody go off to swing and I was on defense, I could envision where they were going.”
Lukas Slesers really got going last season, when he recorded 231 kills, 35 blocks and 143 digs as the Wildcats won the conference title and advanced to the sectional finals.
“He used to be a little insecure about his volleyball game,” Aleks Slesers said. “I think once he realized, ‘Hey, I can play with anybody,’ he just completely hit that next level of ‘I want to be the best player there is.’
“It’s really eye-opening to see how much he’s matured.”
But Lukas Slesers isn’t perfect, as his older siblings remind him.
“They always coach me after every game, especially my brother,” Lukas Slesers said. “He’s really hard on me. It would never be ‘good job.’ He would always tell me what I can improve and what I need to do in every situation.”
Aleks Slesers doesn’t deny that.
“Lukas is definitely not wrong when he says that I coach him pretty hard,” Aleks Slesers said. “It’s really special for me to see him actually take my advice and use it to better his game.”
Lukas Slesers, who will attend Tennessee and likely play on the club team, could face his older brother on the court. Aleks Slesers plays for Marquette’s club team.
“I can’t wait to compete with him for one year on the club collegiate scene,” Aleks Slesers said. “It’s just really special to see how much he’s grown up. He’s done so well for himself, and I know he’s gonna keep that up while he’s at school.”
Sam Brief is a freelance reporter.
