Yuppies give Downer North's Moran boost

Hobnobbing with yuppies at a beach volleyball court isn't whatmost teenagers do during their formative years. Usually, they aremore interested in playing organized sports or hanging out withfriends.

But for Downers Grove North volleyball star Omar Moran, the FourLakes apartment complex in Lisle has provided more than a roof overhis head. It's given him a head start in sports, especiallyvolleyball, and fond memories of some caring adults who offeredunexpected friendship.

"I started playing volleyball the summer before my freshmanyear," said Moran, who moved from Peru to the United States at age 9. "I watched the people at Four Lakes playing volleyball and all of asudden they let me play. Then they helped me out. None of themplayed in college. They just played for fun. I still see some ofthem over the summer."

"Four Lakes is a young adult mecca," Downers North coach RayButkus said. "A lot of the men and women play volleyball there andthey take it pretty seriously. The adults took Omar under theirwing and he has a following of people who come to watch him play.

"He always has been the kind of kid who seems like a naturalwhen it comes to volleyball. But I think it's because he got goodtraining at a young age."

Moran has been a starter since his freshman year. So talentnever has been an issue. Butkus says the primary growth in his 6-1outside hitter is his ability to help others raise their level ofplay.

"When you're used to being the best, sometimes it's hard to keepyour head. But Omar has really matured," Butkus said. "In thepast, he never shared his skills with others. But now he hasdeveloped into a team player, not only by being a powerful player butby helping the others."

Moran's skills have improved, too, thanks to Butkus and a yearof training under coach Rick Butler at the Sports PerformanceVolleyball Club in West Chicago.

"My footwork was backwards but they (at Sports Performance)fixed it and I'm learning how to be quicker on my spike approach,"said Moran, who was an all-state selection last season.

Moran hopes to play volleyball in college, then coach the sport.

"I've been fortunate to be at Downers North," he said. "It'sone of the few schools that had a volleyball program when I was afreshman. And coach Butkus is always positive and always helps meto get back on my feet whenever I'm having a problem. He reallysupports me."