Marist’s Briggs Corona actually talked with football coaches from Iowa, Purdue, Fresno State and USC about playing that sport for them.
But he chose Ball State. For volleyball.
The junior outside hitter, a tight end in football, announced last week he had verbally commitment to men’s volleyball program in Muncie, Indiana. Although big-time football is the glamorous and high-profile sport, he’s happy with his decision.
“It was tough to turn down football, but this is what my passion is,” Corona said of volleyball. “And this is what I do best. I love the sport because you see everyone on the court succeed.
“It’s one of the best team sports. And here, it’s like a brotherhood. We’re all very close off the court.”
On the court, the 6-foot-5 Corona brings back the most experience from the two-time defending state champion RedHawks who beat some of the best teams in the nation in 2025.
He came up with 38 kills, 35 digs, eight aces and six blocks in five matches as the host RedHawks finished second in the 24-team Marist Invitational, which wrapped up Saturday in Chicago.
Corona tallied six kills, eight digs and two aces in a 28-26, 25-15 setback to O’Fallon in the invitational championship match. Drew Fiedler had 21 assists for Marist (4-2), while Mike Forbes
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added six kills and four blocks.Tournament MVP Nathan McBride produced nine kills for O’Fallon (6-0), which finished fourth in the state last season and returned six rotation players from that team.
Corona, meanwhile, picked up limited playing time last season. But that has changed this spring with the inexperience of the RedHawks.
“He is assuming more responsibility on the volleyball court than he ever has times 100,” Marist coach Jordan Vidovic said of Corona. “Even on teams he’s been on where he’s played a bigger role, he hasn’t played the role where he’s playing everything and every facet of the game.
“He has to carry a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. He knows he has to make other people better now.”
Before the tournament, Marist opened the season Thursday with a nonconference match against O’Fallon. Corona totaled 20 kills in a 20-25, 25-23, 29-27 setback to the Panthers.
One player who’s looking forward to working with Corona is freshman Max DeHoyos.
Vidovic rarely brings freshmen up on varsity to start a season, so having good leadership to show DeHoyos the ropes is vital.
“This is a great experience learning from the older kids,” DeHoyos said. “(Corona) is helping me a lot, telling me where to hit and what to do in the game. He’s a good person to look up to.”
Corona, who confirmed he will play football in the fall for Marist, pointed out that he drew the interest of college volleyball coaches in the summer playing for U17 Team Illinois.
The Orland Park resident got involved in the sport via his sister, Mayson, who played at Sandburg.
“This sounds bad, but she’s always humbled me,” Briggs said of his sister. “She always kept me humble. When we were little, she always showed me who was boss.”
Marist had not lost its own tournament since 2018 or dropped a match to an Illinois team since 2024.
Vidovic noted the RedHawks are not trying to replicate the 2025 season because few teams could do that. But he wants Marist to have the same thought process and hard-working approach that super group had.
Corona knows there are going to be some hiccups early this season.
“I think it’s a day-by-day process,” he said. “We have a young team and we’re trying to get better every day. We have four returning players. We’re trying to build on the experiences from last year.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.