Before entering high school, Michael Forbes from Marist explored various sports. He quickly listed them: basketball, swimming, running, and a bit of football. Volleyball wasn’t on his radar until his freshman year when other sports were set aside. Forbes recounted, “I jumped into volleyball with some friends who said, ‘Let’s go, we’re playing volleyball.’ I agreed and now I love it.”
Forbes contributed significantly in the state quarterfinals at Bolingbrook on Friday afternoon, helping Marist reach the semifinals for the third consecutive year with six kills in a 25-22, 25-19 win over Lane Tech. Briggs Corona, who committed to Ball State, led Marist (30-7) with ten kills. Freshman Max DeHoyos added five kills, and Drew Fiedler provided 20 assists. For Lane Tech (27-14), Mohamed Abdelradi tallied eight kills, and Carver Forsman contributed six. Marist will soon face Oak Park-River Forest (32-5-1) in the semifinals.
Forbes shared why volleyball became his sole focus: “Volleyball is addicting. I enjoy the pace, the presence of six players per side, and the non-contact nature of the game. It’s completely different.”
In this year’s squad, Forbes has noticed a substantial shift compared to previous teams that secured state championships. Originally, he did not foresee playing in state finals when he began. Despite a rough start with new players, Forbes believed they could reach this level after their first practice. “The start was rocky,” Forbes admitted, “but we needed to connect, and now we are.”
Under the guidance of coach Jordan Vidovic, Marist seeks its fifth consecutive state championship in both boys’ and girls’ volleyball. Even though many anticipate Oak Park-River Forest and Glenbard West meeting in the state finals, Vidovic is satisfied with his team reaching the Final Four. The RedHawks faced skepticism externally but remained determined.
Fiedler said, “We lost 10 seniors, but we knew our potential.” Forbes led the celebration after their victory over Lane Tech, marking an achievement despite expectations.
Forbes entered the quarterfinals with impressive stats: 305 kills, 87 blocks, 151 digs, and 25 aces. His performance earned him a spot on the Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association first team all-state in only his third year playing the sport. Corona and Fiedler also received state team honors.
Looking ahead, Marist’s future opponents may face challenges, but the RedHawks concentrate on the present. Many underclassmen returning next season are poised to maintain their competitive edge. Despite skepticism, Forbes and his teammates focus on proving doubters wrong through hard work.
Forbes stated, “We understand that people doubt us, but we put our heads down and do our work. We go out there, and do our thing.”
Jeff Vorva contributed to this report for the Daily Southtown.