Jackson Kern’s freshman season for Libertyville was an auspicious one.
The 6-foot Kern made the varsity team as libero, joining a large group of seniors a year after the Wildcats played in the state semifinals.
“He stood out as somebody who could handle himself on the court,” Libertyville coach Jenny Smith recalled.
Kern proceeded to lead the Wildcats with 232 digs and also had 318 serve-receives and 45 assists, and he was named an honorable mention in the North Suburban Conference.
Suffice to say, Kern made an impression.
One year later, he’s one of two captains for North Suburban Conference leader Libertyville (8-7, 4-0), which has three seniors and four juniors.
“It’s really unique as a sophomore,” Smith said. “He’s one of those kids that is like, if you just saw him walk into the gym, you would be like, ‘Oh, awesome. Another sophomore athlete who wants to play volleyball.’ He’s like pretty unassuming. However, he’s a really sweet and funny kid.
“When he steps onto the court, he carries himself with such composure of really general poise and confidence, and he just dominates.”
Kern, who leads the team again with 152 digs and also has 42 assists and 201 serve-receives, has taken it all in stride.
“I feel like I’m a bit of a natural leader,” he said. “So it was easy for me to come in and assume a role as well as push my teammates.
“I’ve got to give credit to my teammates. They are always keeping me accountable and pushing me to be at my best.”
Kern, who also plays varsity soccer, had already achieved individual success before he played a set for the Wildcats, receiving the first of multiple invitations to the training camps for USA Volleyball’s National Team Development Program. Among other honors since then, Kern was one of 12 players picked for the Junior Volleyball Association Boys All-National Team Class of 2026.
Kern comes from a family of volleyball players. His sister Lauren and his parents, Jon and Julie, also played. Jon Kern recalls asking him whether he wanted to play for the Adversity Volleyball Club when he was 11.
“He was playing baseball and soccer at the time, and we went to one of his older sister’s tryouts for club volleyball where Jackson was peppering and playing with the ball on the side,” Jon Kern said. “And one of the coaches actually said, ‘Hey, he’s pretty good. He should possibly try out as well.’
“We kind of chuckled and went home after that, and I asked him, ‘Hey, would you be interested?’ And he was a little concerned that he wouldn’t be able to serve over the net, to be honest. But we took him out to a court, and he served over the net a couple of times. He felt good about it. Then he decided to try out. So that was the moment.”
Jackson Kern remembers that day too.
“I was trying out for the youngest age group, which was 14,” he said. “So I was kind of nervous. And I made the team.”
Kern improved quickly.
“I just kind of have some natural skills,” he said. “Over the first couple of years, definitely developing fundamentals and techniques were very important, and I want to give credit to all of
the Adversity coaches and all of the teammates I have played with. I feel like I definitely got better.”
Now, in his second year at Libertyville, he’s a captain. Is the best is yet to come for Kern?
“First of all, I’m really excited for the next three years,” he said. “It’s a very promising future for our program for sure. I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen in the next two to three years.”
Isi Frank Ativie is a freelance reporter.
