Meet Men’s Volleyball’s ‘Gentle Giant,’ Nicodemus Meyer

Men’s volleyball’s fourth-year middle blocker Nicodemus Meyer’s height makes him stand out in a crowd. At 6 feet 10 inches, the Franklin, Wis. native towers over nearly everyone. 

Second-year outside hitter Daniel Fabikovic said he first met Meyer — who he compares to the titular character in DreamWorks’ “Wild Robot” — when touring Loyola as a recruit. 

“He’s really tall,” Fabikovic said. “But when I met him, he was the first one to come over and introduce himself, so that’s what I remember.” 

Fabikovic isn’t the only person to remember their first meeting with Meyer, as others like head coach Shane Davis vividly recall the occasion. Other recruits and camp kids all have mentioned their time meeting Meyer and have expressed how great he is, according to Davis.  

“He’s like the gentle giant,” Davis said. “He’s an incredibly welcoming person.” 

Before finding a home on the Lake Shore Campus, Meyer first took an interest in volleyball after his mom, Jennifer, convinced him to join a co-ed team in sixth grade. Meyer said he initially didn’t enjoy it and was made fun of by his friends for being the only boy on the team, leading him to give up playing volleyball.  

When Meyer entered high school, his mom encouraged him to give volleyball another try. With a fresh perspective and a new coach Meyer fell in love with the sport. 

While enrolled at Franklin High School, Meyer became a decorated athlete, earning several titles during his four years. Meyer was a First Team All-Southeast Conference and Wisconsin Boys Volleyball Coaches Association Honorable Mention All-State athlete in 2019. He also helped lead his team to two state championship tournament titles. 

When Meyer began to consider where he’d play in college, he had options. With travel restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was left debating between the only schools he visited — Lewis University and Loyola. Loyola was the obvious choice due to its proximity to his hometown, according to Meyer. 

Meyer said one of the most important lessons he’s learned at Loyola is when to keep his mouth shut and refrain from talking back out of a place of ignorance. According to Meyer, learning to keep his mouth shut as well as remaining positive, staying humble and continuing to see the best in people are some of the things former and present men’s volleyball teammates have taught him.

“Personally, I’ve learned to hold my tongue,” Meyer said. “I had really good veterans. Just guys who taught me how to be a leader, but also to be led in certain moments.” 

Throughout his four collegiate years, Meyer has seen multiple coaching changes, including strength coaches, athletic trainers and head coaches. 

With major coaching changes and the influence of veteran teammates on how to play the game, Meyer said he’s had to learn to trust people have his best interest at heart. 

“I think it’s allowed me to speak with grace, or just give people a little bit of grace,” Meyer said. “Assume the best in people, or assume that people have your best intent, because I think I’ve heard different things from different coaches, but I can honestly say that all of them are trying to help me and just get better in different ways.” 

One of the biggest program changes came before Meyer’s fourth season started. After the announcement head coach John Hawks would leave Loyola for the top job at the University of California-Los Angeles, uncertainty filled the air around who would take his place. 

Meyer said he was sad to see Hawks and the assistant coaches leave, but once the news was released Davis would return to Loyola as head coach Meyer and the team were put at ease. 

“When the news of Shane came out, I think we got a little life back into our team,” Meyer said. “We were just in an uncertainty period for like a month, and I think Shane won us over pretty quickly.” 

Davis said he, like the rest of the team, quickly discovered Meyer’s genuine and frank nature. A leader on the team, Meyer isn’t afraid to tell it as it is,  according to Davis. 

Despite being a leader on the court, Davis said Meyer doesn’t expect any kind of recognition for it. 

“He loves leading but doesn’t need or want the captain title, but he has such a big impact, like what a captain would on a team,” Davis said. “He is a voice and a leader in his own way.”

Meyer is extremely communicative on the court and loves talking with everybody, according to Fabikovic. 

During the 2024-2025 season, Meyer was recognized for his skills on the court with the several awards. He was awarded Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Defensive Player of the Week March 18 — his first-ever accolade — after recording a career and season high nine blocks. 

His blocking skills have also pushed him to the top of conference and NCAA leaderboards in total blocks per set at 1.304. 

Meyer said the recognition feels nice, especially after putting in work over the past few years he said can easily go unnoticed and be passed off as luck by outsiders. 

“No one sees all the hard work, all the extra reps, all the video films, the coaches, all the little technical meetings with players, and then all they see is the result,” Meyer said. “And it’s rewarding for me because I know what I put in, and I’m finally getting to see the results from it.” 

Even with statistical success, Meyer said he still has several goals he’s looking to accomplish for himself and the team before the season comes to an end. 

Meyer said at the beginning of the season he was hoping to re-reach 100 total blocks— an achievement he’s accomplished every season so far. During Loyola’s game against Lindenwood University March 28, he hit his goal. 

As a team, Meyer wants Loyola to win the MIVA tournament this season, and he’s optimistic in the Ramblers’ ability to do so. 

“I think we are the best team in our conference this year, and I say that confidently, and I just want to show it when it actually matters,” Meyer said. 

Meyer also said he hopes to achieve the All-American title and MIVA First or Second Team title at the conclusion of this season. 

When not on the court, Meyer enjoys playing Wii games with his roommates and exploring different parts of Chicago for good food spots. One constant for him is maintaining a peaceful separation between volleyball and everything else. 

Davis said players like Meyer have helped set the tone for the amount of work younger players need to put in. 

“I feel like when you have those types of players, which we do, and Meyer being a leader in that way,” Davis said. “It just says so much about your program, the culture and the people that are here.”  

Meyer celebrates his final home game and senior night April 12 against Ball State University. While post-graduation life is a process he’s still figuring out, Meyer continues to maintain hopes of making a name for himself while playing professionally.