Two weeks ago, senior outside hitter Colin Nye
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was nursing a right biceps injury for Brother Rice. He took some time off last week while the Crusaders had a break from competition.He was ready to go Monday, but his first serve fell well short of the net.
“No excuses,” Nye said. “I was a little embarrassed. I had some friends here, so I was embarrassed.”
But the 6-foot-4 Nye put on a show the rest of the night, finishing with eight kills and delivering some spectacular diving digs in the second game to help lead host Brother Rice to a 26-24, 25-19 nonconference win over Lincoln-Way East in Chicago.
Senior middle hitter Brian Adamski added six kills for the Crusaders (8-2), including two during a five-point streak that saw the Crusaders turn a 24-21 deficit into a 26-24 win in the first game.
Jackson Thayer tallied six kills and three block assists and Carter Geiger added five kills for Lincoln-Way East (5-5), which was coming off its biggest win of the season in Thursday’s 31-33, 27-24, 25-22 victory over state powerhouse York.
Nye, meanwhile, credited Brother Rice trainer Hugo Camacho for helping get his arm back into shape.
“I think it was just wear and tear on it,” Nye said. “It was a little setback, but I was with Hugo every day. He was massaging my arm and we had some nice little resistance-band workouts about 30 minutes a day.
“It worked out, obviously. I feel good now.”
Brother Rice coach Brandon McGinnis is glad to have a healthy Nye on both ends of the court.
“We weren’t sure how it was going to feel,” McGinnis said of Nye’s arm. “But watching him in the pregame, his arm swing was back and we knew he was going to get the green light.
“He’s one of the best in the state and we’re happy to see when he is playing that way. He’s had a few shaky games this season, but when we see him at his best, he’s a problem for opponents.”
Adamski confirmed he wasn’t sure the team would have Nye back this week and was happy to write his name down in the starting lineup.
“He brings something that opens everyone else up,” Adamski said of Nye. “People are so focused on him.”
Adamski was also pumped up about how the Crusaders rallied in the first game.
“We had composure — we were really composed,” Adamski said. “In practice, we have pressure drills where the starters will get up and the coach will flip the score and we have to work back.”
The home-court advantage aided the comeback, too.
“We had some friends coming out there and supporting us and they were loud,” Adamski said. “That environment means something.”
Something else about Nye? He’s heading to Florida State to study professional sales, so his competitive volleyball career it coming to an end this season.
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“It was a tough decision,” Nye said of giving up volleyball. “I got a good scholarship and I love Florida, so I have to go there.”
In January, Brother Rice held its annual Founder’s Day celebration and Nye was one of the students who gave a speech about the school.
He admitted he was more nervous in the match against Lincoln-Way East than he was giving the speech. Nye pointed out he felt ill between games.
However, making a speech was in his wheelhouse, given the subject matter.
His dad, Greg, is the vice president of external relations for Brother Rice. His uncle, Steve, is a dean of students and former head football coach for the Crusaders.
“It’s like a big brotherhood here,” Colin said. “I love public speaking. My dad is always speaking, and it felt nice to get my words out there and tell all of the other future Crusaders what it’s like at Brother Rice.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.