It’s been a record setting year for Marquette seniors Noah Landewe and Alex Danyluck.
Landewe, an outside hitter, recently became the record holder for most digs in a career. Earlier, he became the first Mustang ever to top 1,000 kills.
Setter Alex Danyluck recently became the first player in program history to record 2,000 assists in a career. Danyluck also owns the program’s career record for aces at 185.
“We have played with each other for as many years as we played against each other and that has been helpful in our friendship,” Landewe said. “We are good friends outside of the sport as well which makes our chemistry on the court even better.”
They have been starters for their entire career at Marquette.
“Both boys are four-year starters, and it is very rare especially considering that they were both 6-rotation starters their freshman year,” said Mustangs coach Andrew Hummert. “Coaching Alex and Noah for the last four years has been a coach’s dream. After their first two seasons they had extensive knowledge of all of the aspects of what we wanted to do both offensively and defensively.
“They both have been on the same club team since at least their 15’s age group and they both have been on the top team at High Performance, which is typically one of the best clubs in the area. With them playing together outside of the high school season they have built a chemistry between the two of them on the court that is just second nature at this point. Both of them have essentially become an extension of the coaching staff on the court.”
Landewe has been playing volleyball for six years competitively and eight years overall.
“The thing I like most about volleyball is the fact it is my decompression time to get away from other worries and stresses,” Landewe said.
At 6-foot-3, Hummert calls Landewe “a slightly-undersized outside hitter.” That does not stop him.
“He more than makes up for it with his knowledge of the game and his vision that he has, being able to put the ball in open locations on the court if he can’t get a good swing on the ball,” Hummert said.
Marquette has had a boys volleyball team since 1995.
Kyle Deutschmann, a 2019 graduate, held the kills record with 831. Deutschmann played at Lindenwood University after he graduated. He now is an assistant coach at Fontbonne University.
Passing Deutschmann and reaching 1,000 kills is meaningful to Landewe.
“It means a lot to me considering the amount of great volleyball that has come through the school. A good friend of mine, Kyle Deutschmann, came through Marquette. And I remember watching him be my volleyball idol from a young age,” Landewe said. “The fact I am competing with people like him makes the accomplishment that much cooler.”
Hummert said “there are not many athletes that reach this milestone” in a high school career.
Getting the digs record was special for Landewe, too.
The previous record holder for digs in a career was held by David Sprague, who played from 2010-2012. He was a libero. He finished with 773 digs for his career.
“The digs record is pretty sweet as well. Having not just one, but two records under my belt definitely creates an important persona at the school,” Landewe said.
Achieving this record shows what a versatile athlete Landewe is, Hummert said.
“Noah impacts every aspect of the game, offensively and defensively,” Hummert said. “Breaking both an offensive and defensive record showcases that entirely.”
Danyluck is running a 6-2 for the Mustangs this year. He did the same last year.
“This allows us to use him to help our offense as an attacker as well as being one of the top setters in the area,” Hummert said. “Alex’s consistency is what makes him such a great setter. His ability to set a ball consistently to a spot for an attacker from just about anywhere on the court is what makes him such a remarkable setter.”
Landewe agreed.
“Having Alex be one of the sole reasons for my records, I am beyond happy for him,” Landewe said.
In setting his assist record, Danyluck passed Joe Kimerle, who played from 2013-2015. Kimerle had a career total of 1,924.
“Alex accomplishing this record was one that was arguably more difficult because three out of his four seasons at Marquette we have been running a 6-2, which means that he is only setting for half of the time,” Hummert said. “He has done a phenomenal job being the quarterback of our offense the last four years and directly impacts the success of the program.”
Danyluck passed Deutschmann to become the career aces leader. Deutschmann had 160 in his career.
“Alex has been a force from the service line his entire career,” Hummert said. “While a little inconsistent over the years, when he is on, he has a very powerful jump serve for a high school athlete that can force even the best teams to make mistakes.”
Postseason is approaching. Hummert has been pleased with the season his team has given him so far, and hopes to continue the momentum.
“We have the mentality this year of taking things one day at a time, so we try not to get ahead of ourselves,” Hummert said. “However, with that being said, I believe that we have the potential to make an impact when the postseason rolls around.”
When he graduates, Landewe is not going to play competitively in college.
“Unfortunately, I am not playing in college,” Landewe said. “I decided to opt out of the recruitment process pretty early. Just wasn’t for me.”
Landewe will go to the University of Minnesota. There he will play club volleyball.
“Alex is still actively looking for a school to play for,” Hummert said.
When the season is over and the pair graduate, Hummert said he will miss them.
“Over the last four years, the three of us have been through it all together – the great moments, and the bad moments together,” Hummert said. “Both guys are great ambassadors for the program, and it certainly will leave some very large shoes to fill when they depart in a few weeks.”
(via gabefuerte9/TT)
