Sophomore looks to add depth for Hornets

Jackie Adelphia spent all but a handful of matches on the Hinsdale South sophomore girls volleyball team last season.

She’s hoping that will change this season. Adelphia is getting to see plenty of action on the varsity as a regular 5-foot-9 sophomore middle hitter for Hinsdale South’s summer league team, which plays Tuesday nights at the Great Lake Center in Aurora.

Adelphia is looking for more varsity playing time this season after the Hornets graduated middle Morgan Howard, who will play at Division II Barry this fall in Florida.

With one of last year’s middles, Illinois-Chicago-bound Melissa Nava, playing on the outside at Aurora, Hinsdale South is looking to young players like Adelphia to step up.

“This year I think there is an opportunity. I only played in a couple of (varsity) matches (last year),” Adelphia said. “We have pretty different players that have really helped me.”

Adelphia hopes to prove herself some more in the next few weeks as the Hornets begin their team camp at the school. With Juniors tournaments in June and summer league starting July 5, there have not been many opportunities until late this month to get the high school players back together for long periods.

“I’m excited. I’m ready to get back into it,” Adelphia said.

The Darien resident is coming off a club season with the Westmont-based New WAVE 15 Hurricane. Adelphia’s team went 6-4 and tied for 70th among 141 teams in the 15 Club division at the 38th AAU Junior Nationals last month in Orlando, Fla. New WAVE won its first three matches and four out of five to begin the tournament, but lost to GaREAT Volleyball Academy, 25-22, 25-20, in its final match June 18.

One of Adelphia’s goals this summer is execute some of the team’s plays that are new to her and to remain focused.

“It’s totally different than eighth grade,” Adelphia said.

She is counting on help from veteran players such as Nava, junior outside hitter Jessica Brezwyn and junior setter Sharon Anderson.

“They really help with support. You really can count on them to help you,” Adelphia said. “This summer league is fun. I remember last year I was more nervous because I didn’t know people.”

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