Oak Lawn Senior Balances Volleyball, Volunteering, and Future Medical Career

Marco Budzak, a standout volleyball player, plans to join classmates on a service trip to Bolivia after graduation.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 1:38am

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Marco Budzak, a 6-foot-2 senior outside hitter for the Oak Lawn High School boys volleyball team, enters the season with 521 career kills. While focused on his final high school volleyball season, Budzak is also planning to join four classmates on a service trip to Bolivia to help build a hospital through the school's Spartans Without Borders club. Budzak hopes to pursue a career in medicine after graduation.

Why it matters

Budzak's dedication to both athletics and community service highlights the well-rounded nature of many high school student-athletes. His commitment to making a difference globally while also excelling on the volleyball court serves as an inspiration for his teammates and peers.

The details

Budzak, who is aiming to surpass the school's all-time career kills record, is treating this season as potentially his last in volleyball as he plans to focus on his academics in college. However, he is determined to make the most of his final high school season, putting in extra work in the gym and taking on more of a leadership role. Meanwhile, Budzak and four classmates will be traveling to Bolivia after graduation to help build Bethel Hospital in the rural town of Amachuma through the school's Spartans Without Borders club, which they have been fundraising for throughout the year.

  • Budzak enters the 2026 boys volleyball season with 521 career kills.
  • Budzak and four classmates will travel to Bolivia after graduating in 2026 to help build Bethel Hospital.
  • The Spartans Without Borders club hosted a Bowling for Bolivia fundraiser in October 2025 to support the trip.

The players

Marco Budzak

A 6-foot-2 senior outside hitter for the Oak Lawn High School boys volleyball team who has 521 career kills and hopes to pursue a career in medicine.

Matthew Hunt

The head coach of the Oak Lawn High School boys volleyball team, who is excited about the team's depth and depth and is looking forward to Budzak taking on more of a leadership role this season.

Lucia Kellnerova

Budzak's mother, who helped him find volleyball after he developed allergies to chlorine and could no longer swim competitively.

Emiliano Lopez, Belal Moutaouakkil, Isaac Bayas, Eli Kulpinski

Budzak's four classmates who will be joining him on the service trip to Bolivia to help build Bethel Hospital.

Randy Hansen, Al Russo

The top two players in Oak Lawn High School boys volleyball history in terms of career kills, which Budzak is aiming to surpass this season.

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What they’re saying

“I want to explore a lot of aspects of life to see what's possible. This is an opportunity to help impoverished people. I want to be a doctor.”

— Marco Budzak, Senior, Oak Lawn High School

“He has progressed and grown as a player. His freshman year, he was a sub that would come in on the opposite side. He was a very good hitter but struggled with passing. He really worked on his passing. We look forward to seeing him take more of a leadership role now that some of the seniors are gone and see how he handles that.”

— Matthew Hunt, Head Coach, Oak Lawn High School Boys Volleyball

What’s next

Budzak and his four classmates will travel to Bolivia after graduating in 2026 to help build Bethel Hospital in the rural town of Amachuma through the school's Spartans Without Borders club.

The takeaway

Budzak's story showcases how high school student-athletes can balance their athletic pursuits with a commitment to community service and a desire to make a positive impact on the world. His well-rounded approach to his high school experience serves as an inspiration for his peers.