Boys volleyball: Migus makes his mark at Hersey
Hersey senior Bart Migus has earned the captaincy of the Daily Herald's Northwest all-area volleyball team due to his outstanding performance this year.
In fact, that same high level of achievement has been present for quite some time now.
Migus, a 6-foot-4 outside hitter, has been a leader and difference maker for the Huskies since the day he walked on the court as a freshman.
A four-year varsity starter, Migus set a career kill record at Hersey with a total of 1,069 including 350 this season. He had 70 blocks this year, an incredible number for someone who plays on the outside; and finished with a four-year total of 204 blocks.
Add in 246 digs (second on the team) in 2015 to go along with 20 aces, and you've got quite a player.
"Bart has been a fixture for our varsity," said long-time Huskies coach Nancy Lill. "He is the most complete, dominating player to ever play the game at Hersey. He could do it all.
"He's a student of the game. He took ownership of our team and as captain brought insights and suggestions that would help us succeed. He's so talented, yet he is also one of the most humble athletes I've ever coached. His focus was always on the team and what we could do to improve."
Not too shabby for a kid who starting playing the game in sixth grade, quickly learning that he had a knack for the sport.
Migus, who began playing club in seventh grade, said he gets his athletic ability from his father, Jacek.
"He was a track guy, a high-jump guy," said Migus. "That's where I get my jumping ability and my dad thought volleyball would be a good fit for me because I really wasn't a good fit in other sports.
"I guess you could say I kind of stood out in middle school, and then I played at a club that stressed the fundamentals of the game for the younger players. I was able to get the training I needed there and started to realize my potential. I love how volleyball is such a complicated game. You can score in an infinite variety of ways, and you have to be intelligent and athletic."
It's been quite a successful run at Hersey for Migus, who Lill says has "left an impact on our program."
The senior was part of two regional championship teams, won two Mid-Suburban East titles, and let the Huskies to a overall 60-15 record in his last two seasons.
When asked about his favorite moments over the last four years, however, Migus doesn't point to big statistical performances or clutch wins.
Instead, his best memories of the sport are a little more personal.
"Spending time with my dad," said Migus. "Traveling with him and riding in the car and talking about the games, post-match. That was my favorite part of the last four years."
Lill said that Migus had opportunites to play Division 1 volleyball in college, but instead chose the academic route, enrolling at Illinois to study engineering.
"It's kind of disappointing that I won't be playing (intercollegiate volleyball)," said Migus. "It wasn't like I turned down offers, but I just didn't take advantage of the opportunities that came my way. I wanted a school that featured engineering and volleyball but there just weren't a lot of them out there.
"I'll play club volleyball for sure, and I'm going to keep training and working hard just as if I was going to play DI, and we'll see what happens."
And now that his days at Hersey are coming to end, Migus can reflect back on not only the successes but also the disappointments.
"We had a decent season this year, not the best," said Migus of the Huskies' loss in regional play. "We had some holes we just couldn't fill in.
"It's been a long journey and I'm glad I went through it."
And the final word comes from coach Lill, who says she has been "blessed" to have had Migus for four tremendous seasons.
"I'm sure Bart will continue with the sport he loves in college and even post-college," said Lill. "With his talent, drive and love of the game, the sky's the limit. He's been part of the USA program and he could possibly play professionally in Europe."