1 day Ago By Jeff Vorva
When it comes to the bodily transformation of Brother Rice’s Vaughn Goberville , teammate John Mikrut has seen it all. Goberville was heavy in grade school, then thin as a freshman for the Crusaders, and now has bulked up like a bodybuilder to the point that he’s offering online videos on fitness and nutrition. “Oh, man, I’ve been with him since fifth grade,” Mikrut said of Goberville, a senior middle hitter.
“Back then, he was on the obese side, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. “He was an overweight, tiny kid in fifth grade. He grew and his body transformed.
He was a skinny kid and then he fell in love with the gym. Now, he’s a student of his body.” That student had a lot to say on the volleyball court Tuesday night.
The 6-foot-3 Goberville put away the first and final kills of the match for Brother Rice in a 25-22, 25-17 Catholic League victory over host Providence in New Lenox. Goberville finished with five kills for the Crusaders (3-1, 1-0). John Mikrut led the way with seven kills and five aces, while Ben Adamski came up with six kills and Zach Mikrut added five.
Jackson Fowler paced Providence (2-6, 0-1) with eight kills. Sean Dovin followed with four. Over the years, Brother Rice coach Brandon McGinnis has witnessed Goberville’s progression.
Brother Rice’s Vaughn Goberville (8) goes up to block an attack Providence’s Sean Dovin (18) during a Catholic League match in New Lenox on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown) “He’s gone from the freshman B team to being a captain on the varsity,” McGinnis said of Goberville. “He also showed offseason leadership.
That’s why he’s here.” Goberville knows he’s undersized as a middle hitter, but since he owns a 39-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot touch, that makes up for it. “I’ve been a pretty short middle my entire life,” he said.
“I’ve always been seen as weak. But I got my vertical up, and I just want to prove to people that small middles can still work.” In the offseason, Goberville watched a bunch of college volleyball videos and hit the weight room.
Speaking of videos, his YouTube presence is impressive, with titles such as “Leaning Out,” “Return of the Powerlifter,” “Pull Day — Crazy Guy in the Gym,” “Body Dysmorphia” and “How to Build a HUGE Back.” “I’m a bodybuilder and I’m really into fitness,” Goberville said. “I love to inspire a younger audience to better themselves, and I love creating videos.
I love cameras. Brother Rice’s Zach Mikrut (2) puts the ball away against Providence during a Catholic League match in New Lenox on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown) “I’m big on nutrition, so I tell them how to eat and how to work out.
But at the same time, I do some talking and tell them about my life.” John Mikrut said he enjoys watching Goberville’s videos. “Honestly, his filmmaking is a cool part of his fitness,” Mikrut said of Goberville.
Goberville, who has volleyball offers from St. Ambrose, Trine and Barton, hasn’t entered any bodybuilding contests yet. He’s wrestling with the decision to stay with volleyball or get even more serious with bodybuilding.
He’s also aware that bulking up too much can hurt him on the court, so he tapers during the months he plays volleyball. “He still has quickness and is fast to the block,” McGinnis said. “He’s jumping out of the gym, even with that extra mass.
We are always focusing on his legs to make sure they can perform day in and day out.” Brother Rice’s Vaughn Goberville, left, and Providence’s Hayden Hill battle at the net during a Catholic League match in New Lenox on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown) Goberville has come a long way from the kid who took grief for being too scrawny.
“I was picked on a little for that,” he said. “They made fun of my skinny wrists and skinny arms.” But not now.
“When you are down, they pick on you,” Goberville said. “But when you are up, they ask you, ‘How are you doing?'” Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown..
