Briggs Corona was one of the guys a year ago on the Marist boys volleyball team.
On a senior-dominated roster, he carved out a supporting role for himself as a 6-5 sophomore at outside hitter and right side on the state-championship team.
Now in his junior year, things have changed in a big way.
The Ball State recruit isn’t a guy. He’s the guy.
Corona finished with six kills, eight digs and two aces on March 28 as host Marist lost 26-28, 15-25 to O’Fallon in the RedHawk Invitational championship.
“It’s definitely a big challenge,” Corona said. “It’s a lot to adjust to, but I’m having fun doing it. Honestly, being on the court as a main target, I want to be an option and always be available. I learned a lot about leading and helping lead the team (last year).”
Juniors Michael Forbes (six kills, four blocks) and Drew Fiedler (21 assists) and sophomore Jason Mayoski (12 digs) also starred for the RedHawks at the 24-team tournament.
Marist had won the championship at its own tournament the past seven years.
But coach Jordan Vidovic was thrilled with what he saw, even in a two-set finals defeat. Marist also played O’Fallon on March 26, losing a three-set thriller.
“O’Fallon is a top national team. It’s awesome for us,” Vidovic said. “We had guys assuming major responsibility, guys stepping up, younger guys putting things from practice into matches. These two matches, you couldn’t ask for a better way to start the season to show us a lot.”
Marist graduated 10 seniors and almost its entire rotation off the 2025 state champs, including stars Christian Teresi (Ohio State) and Nathen Toth (MIT)
Corona is one of the few returning players who saw significant court time last season. He finished with 83 kills, good for sixth on the team, and 38 blocks as a sophomore.
In his third varsity season, he’s working hard to help the youngsters on the team and in the program acclimate as soon as possible.
“Our lack of experience — it’s getting everyone to the same level that we’ve been at the last two years,” Corona said. “It’s really a maturity thing. It’s hard as a freshman and sophomore. It’s a big investment, so it’s getting everyone on the same page and what our priorities are.”
Corona goes from a supporting role as a hitter off the bench to being a six-rotation player who has to do it all for the RedHawks across the net and in the back row.
Vidovic said Corona is up to the challenge.
“Briggs has never played a role like this where he’s doing everything in every facet of the game,” Vidovic said. “To have never done that and do it pretty comfortably, to roll with his strengths, handle the learning points and handling it well is big.”
Briggs, who also is a football tight end, is a captain along with Forbes and senior middle Nick Larson.
As he navigated the recruiting world though, through volleyball and football, he ultimately found his future home at Ball State.
“I love the atmosphere, loved the campus and really fell in love overall when I visited,” Corona said. “I felt like it was for me.”
Forbes said he’s excited to see what Corona brings to the team as the focal point of the offense.
“Energy,” Forbes said of Corona. “Big kills and big energy is what he brings to the team.”