Starting at setter last season as a sophomore on the junior-varsity team, Marist’s Drew Fiedler watched from the sidelines as the RedHawks’ varsity squad steamrolled its way to a state championship.
He took it all in and waited his turn, picking up anything and everything he could from star senior setter/outside hitter Christian Teresi.
When his turn came on the varsity, Fiedler vowed to be ready.
“It was fun watching the varsity,” Fiedler said. “Christian was one of my role models. He was one of the best. On varsity, the pace of play is a lot faster. You’ve got to be very athletic and be smart out there.”
Dishing out 35 assists and adding five digs, Fiedler helped lead Marist to a 25-22, 21-25, 25-17 victory over Glenbard West on April 25 in Brother Rice’s Smack Attack tournament championship.
Fiedler was named Tournament MVP.
Also starring for the RedHawks were juniors Briggs Corona (15 kills, nine digs, three blocks), Nick Mayoski (nine digs) and Mike Forbes (three kills, four blocks) and freshman Max DeHoyos (nine kills, two blocks).
Even after winning a starting job, Fiedler isn’t complacent.
“I’m really working on my mental game,” he said. “I stay a lot after practice, work, get on the same page (with the hitters) and make sure I’m prepared to play.”
Marist coach Jordan Vidovic, a star setter in his playing days at Brother Rice and Lewis University, said he’s been impressed with Fiedler’s efforts.
“Almost everything is brand new for Drew,” Vidovic said. “He’s handled everything in stride. That’s the exciting part. There’s so much more there. He’s staying after practice and working to build that rapport with his hitters. It’s all new faces. He’s really embracing that and absorbing it.”
Fiedler has plenty of hitting options, especially Corona, a 6-foot-6 junior, and DeHoyos, a 6-2 freshman, who led the way with some ferocious swings against an imposing Glenbard West squad.
Fiedler said it’s not just a bond with his hitters.
The RedHawks have worked hard to build a strong connection across the entire roster. That’s especially important after graduating almost the entire rotation from last year’s state title squad.
“With the hitters, it’s repetition,” Fiedler said. “It’s lots of team bonding after practice and games. We’ll go out to eat, hang out at each other’s house, always as one big group.”
Marist dominated early in the third set, going up 5-0 and eventually 12-3.
Corona, a Ball State recruit, said Fiedler has found a rhythm as the floor general of the team’s attack.
“It’s building our connection and giving feedback in practice,” Corona said. “We’re trying to perfect things as we go along. Me and Drew, our connection is definitely getting closer by the day.”
Marist beat Lincoln-Way Central in a three-set thriller in the semifinals, Plainfield East in the quarterfinals and Nazareth and Providence in pool play.
It was the RedHawks’ second straight Smack Attack championship.
Marist had finished as runner-up at its previous two tournaments through the first half of the season.
“It means a lot because we had lost our other two tournaments,” Fiedler said. “We worked very hard for this. I’m feeling good. We still have a lot to work on, so I’ll keep working hard and hopefully win a state championship.”