Former Alliance Bulldog Jordan Hopp did it again, lettering in Volleyball at Iowa State. She attributes the recognition to the lessons learned while attending Alliance High School.
Hopp’s passion for Volleyball paid off during her freshman year! 2016-2017. She attended her first big Volleyball camp hosted by the University of Nebraska. She made the top 32 out of 200 players that attended the camp. She earned letters in Basketball, Volleyball and Track and Field, Rookie of the Year and a starting spot on the Varsity Women’s Volleyball team as Middle Blocker.
“Playing as a Freshman was definitely intimidating for the first few games. I was very nervous obviously. I kind of had impostor syndrome. I felt like I shouldn’t have been there, but as the season went on I got more confident in myself and I kind of went from there,” said Hopp.
Hopp certainly went on from there to accomplish a lot more. During her Sophomore year, Hopp lettered three more times in Track and Field, Basketball and Volleyball, Bringing the total number of letters earned by Hopp to six. Hopp also broke the school record of blocks a season in Volleyball with 100 blocks.
“I felt very proud of myself and accomplished, but also in shock like did I really do that,” said Hopp.
Hopp also tied for the record of most blocks in a game her sohopmore year with nine blocks.
“I was so young that I didn’t really know what was going on. I understood that I did something great but I didn’t realize until later in my career how important that first record was,” said Hopp.
In Hopp’s Junior year. Hopp broke the school record of blocks a season again with 143 blocks, Beating her previous record set during her sophomore year of 100 blocks.
“My confidence just began to grow and didn’t stop,” said Hopp.
Hopp added another three letters to her previous six by lettering in Basketball, Volleyball and Track and Field bringing the number to nine letters earned. The Bulldogs also qualified for the state tournament, going back to the state tournament for the first time in 18 years to face off against Waverly. Where Hopp was ready and excited to take on the Vikings.
“I just didn’t get nervous. That’s something I took pride in. I had been at such a high level I knew how to control those nerves against the Waverly game,” said Hopp.
Waverly went on to beat Alliance 3-0 with a final set score of 26-24. Hopp had nine kills that game.
“I think we played well as a team that game, and it was super exciting to accomplish that,” Hopp said.
In Hopp’s senior year. She set a career record of 407 blocks, setting a new record at Alliance High School of most blocks a season.
“I felt so accomplished and very proud of myself but knew that it didn’t stop there, and I needed to keep setting goals for myself and pushing myself to be better,” said Hopp.
Hopp won another three letters in Basketball, Volleyball and Track and Field. Making for a grand total of 12 letters throughout her high school career, being only the eighth person to do so in AHS history. Hopp had achieved many goals and won many awards during her high school career, but one award holds the most meaning for Hopp.
“By far, earning the 12 letter award. So, I just received that one January of this year, 2022, and that was definitely my biggest accomplishment,” said Hopp.
Hopp said she learned many lessons throughout high school career.
“The biggest lesson I learned: no matter where you come from and what you have accomplished, anything is possible. I came from a high school where not a lot of Division One athletes come out of that High School. It’s very hard to be recognized from a small town because the lack of club and the lack of opportunity that we have around. I just think that the lesson I learned is no matter what you put your mind to you’re going to accomplish it,” said Hopp.
Hopp had plenty of options when it came to colleges Hopp chose Iowa State.
“The thing that stood out to me at Iowa State was the coaching staff. My Head Coach, Christy Johnson, was just amazing she actually played for Nebraska. My dad always told me if you never get the chance to play at Nebraska, play for someone that did play for Nebraska. The coaching staff here is amazing. My Position Coach, Jen Malcolm, she is one of the best coaches I ever had. She is the right amount of, ‘I’m going to work you as hard as I can, but I’m going to teach you as much as I know.’ So, the one thing that brought me here was the coaching staff and the atmosphere of the school,” said Hopp.
Jordan earned her first academic award that spring at Iowa State, earning the Big 12 Commissioner award.
“It was a super big accomplishment, because, during the spring time as a student athlete, that is when our off season is. So, we tend to load up on harder classes in the spring and take some easier classes in the fall during season. So, that was like a huge accomplishment for me. To know that, ‘Yeah I was taking harder classes and I accomplished that in addition to being a student athlete’,” said Hopp.
Hopp went on to play her first career match against Wayne State on March 26, 2020, making two attack attempts.
“It was the most nerve racking I have ever felt in my life, to be honest. I know it was a spring game and we were playing Wayne State, but it was so nerve racking and before I got in, my coach told me next rotation you’re going in. So, then you have how many rotations to sit there and think about. Okay, I have this much time to go in.’ Once I got in there and I played two points, I was like wow this is just normal; this is how we did in high school and in practice. The pace of the game is definitely a lot faster than high school, but it was a very nerve racking experience, but it was definitely one that I will never forget,” said Hopp.
Hopp recently earned a letter while attending Iowa State in Volleyball.
“I definitely think that earning the 12 letters in high school was a huge accomplishment, but taking that to the next level and earning one in college is even more of an accomplishment because of how hard it is for college athletes to earn letters. I’m just so blessed to say that I am a letter winner at Iowa State,” said Hopp.
Hopp started with an open options major while attending Iowa State, but by the looks of it she has set her mind on nursing.
“I am a kinesiology and health major now and then my option right now is pre-occupational therapy and the reason I’m in that is because I want to be a nurse practitioner, and Iowa State doesn’t have a perfect nursing program that I want to be into. So, I’ll have to go onto Grad School, and pre-occupational therapy gives me those prerequisites to go to Grad School. Maybe looking into playing Volleyball in Grad School,” said Hopp.
Hopp is currently starting another season at Iowa State, and the team is off to a great start being undefeated. Playing their first game against the University of Omaha, they came out on top 3-1. Iowa State just finished hosting their spring tournament. Teams that participated were University of Northern Iowa, University of Iowa and Drake University, all in-state Iowa colleges.
Iowa State first faced off against Drake University, where they came out with a clean sweep 3-0 with a final set score of 15-13. They then went on to play University of Northern Iowa where they came out on top again 2-1 with a final set score of 13-15. The final game of the tournament was Iowa State taking on University of Iowa, where Iowa State got the win again 2-1 with a final set score of 15-11. Hopp coming in with a total of six blocks.
“I thought that my performance in last weekend’s spring tournament was a good start to some of the goals that I have set for myself this spring. There is always room for improvement, so I will do my best to stay consistent as the spring finishes and leads into the season next fall. Some things that I prepared for in practice for the next game were working on being more dynamic in my footwork on blocking and focusing on eye work. Those are two very important skills to have when it comes to blocking,” said Hopp.
Hopp has stayed humble as she as enjoyed her experiences through out her Volleyball career so far.
“I am so thankful for the opportunity that I was given and the opportunity to play college Volleyball,” said Hopp.
(Photos Courtesy of the Iowa State University Athletic Department)