ST. CHARLES — Maureen Niski didn't make it to her 10-year high school class reunion, but it wasn't due to apathy.

"I was two weeks from delivering Caroline," she said.

When the 20-year gathering rolled around for members of the Champaign Central Class of 1981, the former Maureen Casserly was in attendance.

"This changed our family's life," she said.

Her decision to reconnect with classmates played a major role in her youngest daughter, Meghan, developing into a volleyball standout, one who now headlines the 30th News-Gazette All-State team as the Player of the Year.

Picturing the future

Pictures are a big thing at reunions. The Central alums were no exception in 2001. Maureen Niski found herself standing beside Jennie Kull for the photo shoot and asking the typical questions.

"I said where are you now and what are you doing," Niski recalled.

To her surprise, the Kulls were living in St. Charles and Jennie had followed in the footsteps of her mother — Dorothy Miller — and was a high school head coach in volleyball.

Kull was on staff at St. Charles. The Niskis lived minutes from the high school.

Cheering a new sport

Volleyball wasn't a sport prominent on Maureen Niski's radar. She had been a diver at Central, and was also a cheerleader.

"My kids were interested in other sports," she said. "At the time, they were 10 and 8 and didn't play volleyball."

Caroline Niski was a swimmer. Meghan Niski took up soccer as a 5-year-old and joined a club team as a second-grader.

"Volleyball," Maureen Niski said, "seemed like a great sport."

And yet, even if her daughters eventually showed an interest in the sport, the thought of Kull coaching them seemed remote.

The girls attended a parochial grade school, St. Patrick, from kindergarten through eighth grade.

History in the making

During the course of the reunion, Maureen Niski learned about a club team that Kull coached. It was for middle-school age students.

"Caroline played in Jennie's club for two years, then Meg did the same," Maureen Niski said. "The rest is history."

It's that history which leads to the present. When it was time for the girls to enroll in high school, Maureen and Mike Niski opted for the neighboring public school rather than Wheaton St. Francis or Aurora Rosary, which would have required daily 25-minute commutes.

"Who would have thought what would have come from that one conversation," Maureen Niski said.

Sister leads the way

Meghan Niski credits one person for her decision to try volleyball.

"My sister," she said, "was such a strong influence. She was my role model growing up. My sister played, and I'm glad I stuck with it.

"When I think of my childhood I think of soccer, but by high school volleyball was taking over my life."

So much so that the midfielder dropped out of soccer after eighth grade. She is now in her seventh season of club volleyball.

Meghan Niski has made an impact for years. As a freshman she started on the St. Charles East team that won the Class 4A state title. As a sophomore, her club team (Fusion) won its age-group national tournament and Niski was the most valuable player.

'They are gems'

As teenagers, Maureen Niski and Jennie Kull "knew each other, but we had a different circle of friends," Niski said.

But now, Kull said, "we're friends and that friendship has grown. We have the same values. We want kids to be successful."

Kull's faith was another reason the Niskis felt comfortable sending both of their daughters to the local public school.

While both girls made a significant impact in volleyball, Kull will remember them beyond their athletic prowess.

"They are not only great athletes, but also great people and great role models," Kull said. "They are both exceptional young ladies who have helped our program. They are gems."

Faith was rewarded

Kull doesn't want to think about the scenarios that might have transpired had Maureen Niski not returned to Champaign for her 20-year reunion.

"I have such great faith," she said. "I believe things happen for a reason. I've had an opportunity to meet and be a part of the lives of a wonderful family."

Meghan Niski has enjoyed her years with Kull.

"She has improved my skills, but also my mind-set on and off the court," Meghan Niski said. "She has helped me as a player and as a person. I'm glad I went here."

An Illini memory

Caroline Niski plays volleyball at Maryland. That was one of the schools that contacted Meghan. Though she said she's in touch with her sister frequently — "We talk about everyday," she said — that university didn't make her short list before she settled on James Madison.

"At the same time I wanted to do something separately," Meghan Niski said.

Though her grandparents, Joe and Sandra Casserly, still live in Champaign, the UI was never really an option, either.

"I wanted to go more toward the East Coast," she said. "I like the colonial aspect and the historical aspect. And, James Madison is in the mountains, close to a ski resort."

Still, one of her prized possessions — besides the state medals — is an autographed volleyball she and her sister received from the Illini when they were able to watch a practice courtside nine years ago.

"My grandpa brought my sister and I to a ton of UI games," Meghan Niski said.

All-around star

What enabled Meghan Niski to headline the All-State team is the same reason she's a finalist for the Gatorade state Player of the Year award. She's a skilled player wherever she's at on the court.

"She is equally successful in the back as well as in the front row," Kull said. "She was so dynamic this year, she set herself above the others.

"There aren't many players who can do that. She's a primary passer. Her and Maisey (Mulvey) — the other freshman on the state championship team (in 2008) — owned the back row. Meghan would attack out of the back and was just as effective."

Niski takes pride in excelling in all facets of the game.

"I want to be in on every point," she said. "I love playing all around and don't want to go out.

"I've worked hard, but I'm grateful to everyone who has helped me."

Talk of the town

Central graduates from the Class of '81 held a 30-year reunion earlier this year. Maureen Niski was present. So was Jennie Kull.

"We had a lot more to talk about this time," Maureen Niski said.

There could be even more in the future. Kull's influence has sparked an interest in Meghan Niski.

"I see what Coach Kull has done and I'd love to help a team get that feeling," Meghan Niski said. "I think maybe I'd like to coach.

"I love volleyball. There's nothing else I'd rather be doing."

Thanks to a Champaign Central connection, she found her ultimate sport of choice. Her future is a tribute to her mother's past.