Toczek takes tenacity to WIU
Antioch girls volleyball coach Glen Heitman said of Megan Toczek last season that "the intensity in her face when she was blocking scared me sometimes."
Don't let the 6-foot-3 frame fool you. Off the court, Toczek is as nice as they come.
In signing a letter of intent this week with Western Illinois University to play Division I volleyball, Toczek made sure to single out Heitman, former Antioch coach Bob Schenk and Sky High's Scott Harris who helped in her development.
"Thanks to Sky High, I am where I am now," Toczek said of her club team.
When it came choosing to continue her education and volleyball career at Western Illinois, Toczek again cited certain people who impacted her.
On her visit to the Macomb campus in February, she met not only head coach Kym McKay and several players on the team but also the head of the biology department and even the athletic director.
"I loved everything about it (the campus)," said Toczek, who might major in biology. "Everyone there was so nice."
She particularly got along with McKay, whose Westerwinds last season went 15-16, including 11-5 in the Summit League. McKay's 2008 recruiting class also includes Krissy Bergquist of Huntley.
"When I first met her, I didn't have any hesitation," Toczek said of McKay. "I didn't feel any pressure."
Toczek said she chose Western Illinois over the University of Tennessee-Martin in part because of proximity. WIU is about a 4½-hour drive from Toczek's residence in Antioch.
A middle hitter, Toczek was a two-time all-North Suburban Conference selection for Antioch. Her senior year saw her record 264 kills, 108 blocks and 53 service aces.
"Megan is a very physical player who can make an impact on our offense right away," McKay said. "She has experience in all three front row positions, and this versatility will help her contribute this fall."
Toczek started playing volleyball in middle school. While she had a great high school career, she admits she wasn't particularly confident that she would get the chance to play at the Division I level.
"It's definitely a dream come true," she said. "I'm really excited to be going to Western."