Soccer was a family affair for twin brothers Luc and Alec Schwanebeck when they were growing up in Dresden, Germany.
The Schwanebecks played club soccer, as their father, Mirko, did before them. After playing for Naperville North’s junior varsity soccer team last season, the two juniors still play club soccer. But it’s no longer their only sport or even their best.
“I think my best sport right now is probably volleyball,” Luc Schwanebeck said. ‘It’s fun to play, and I like my team very much.”
Alec Schwanebeck had a similar assessment.
“I would say it’s my best sport as well,” Alec Schwanebeck said. “We started it freshman year. We kind of just got into it because it was kind of like a hobby for us. We kind of worked our way up.”
The Schwanebecks immigrated with their parents — their mother, Alexandra, was a gymnast in Germany — to the United States in December 2022, when they were in eighth grade. It didn’t take them long to learn volleyball, and both are enjoying their first varsity season.
Luc Schwanebeck is the starting libero for the Huskies, while Alec Schwanebeck is a backup setter who got his first varsity start during a 25-15, 25-22 victory over Metea Valley on Tuesday.
“Obviously, I felt a little bit nervous first time starting,” Alec Schwanebeck said. “It was a great opportunity, for sure. We played well as a team. We adjusted to the things we had to adjust, and it felt great.”
The Schwanebeck brothers have had to make many adjustments during their time in America. Language wasn’t an issue — English is a mandatory subject in German schools — but it took time to learn the culture.
“It’s been a large adjustment for me because this is a whole new school system for us,” Luc Schwanebeck said. “In Germany, it’s very strict, but you don’t get as many opportunities as you get here.
“For example, here there’s so many extracurriculars and all the things we’re not used to. So I think it’s been a huge adjustment for all of us.”
In addition, the Huskies are adjusting to first-year coach Will Brewer.
“He’s come here with a different energy than what we’re used to, and I think that’s really helped push us and motivate us as a team,” Luc Schwanebeck said.
“That’s one of his characteristics. He’s just a great coach overall. We’re also putting in the work, so that’s why I think we’re very confident in our abilities.”
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Luc Schwanebeck had two service points and an assist as Naperville North defeated visiting Downers Grove North 25-22, 25-21 on Wednesday.
Alec Schwanebeck served four consecutive points to break a 14-14 tie in the opening set, and the Huskies (8-8) didn’t look back.
“As a team played very well,” Luc Schwanebeck said. “We knew they were going to be a strong program, and I think we held them really well.”
Brewer said the Schwanebecks are doing a good job of balancing volleyball with club soccer this spring.
“They’re both coming in with great mindsets,” Brewer said. “They’re coming to practice and grinding it out, really taking care of the fine details.
“Time management and communication have been key, and the two of them have been on top of it from day one. They’re making it work both for us and for their alternative sport.”
Not long ago, it would have been unthinkable for the Schwanebecks to consider soccer their alternate sport. But that might be the case.
Both brothers plan to play soccer for the Huskies next season, but they might play club volleyball instead of club soccer after that.
“That’s a lot to think about,” Luc Schwanebeck said. “Club soccer I’ve played for longer, but it’s not as much a part of me when I’m playing volleyball.
“I’m just trying to figure out the season for now and then kind of decided where I’m heading.”
So is Alec Schwanebeck.
“I would agree with Luc,” he said. “We’ve got to figure it out after the season. Let’s see how this season goes. Obviously, we will do volleyball again next year for school.”
In the meantime, the U.S. will host the FIFA World Cup this summer. The Schwanebecks have tickets to the friendly match between the U.S. and Germany at Soldier Field on June 6.
Both nations will be participating in the World Cup. Will the Schwanebecks cheer for Germany, the U.S, or both?
“Probably both,” Alec Schwanebeck said, “because we’re of both cultures.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.