How Hamilton's Jeralyn Hoppes became 'a complete athlete'
HAMILTON - When Jeralyn Hoppes prepares for a point, there is an intensity on her face that can be quite intimidating.
But the second the ball hits the floor, no matter what happens, the Hamilton senior volleyball player's energy changes into a joyous smile, something contagious to her teammates.
That immediate smile, even when the point goes to the other team, is something that helps Hoppes shed the pressure of being a go-to player, something that raises her level of energy and level of play.
"I felt a lot of pressure being the (go-to). I feel like it got to my head a bit and made me more nervous," Hoppes said. "I really just started putting the pressure off and having fun. I just want to go out, give it my all, and not care what others think. I try not to put any pressure on myself. I always bring energy and try to be as loud as I can. Volleyball is about energy and who is giving their all. I want to be one who helps give others that energy and cheer them on."
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That energy is intoxicating to her Hawkeye teammates.
"Her energy is crucial to our play. She will always be the one smiling, even when she messes up. The sport means that much to her," Hamilton coach Britney Fogerty said.
If Hoppes' energy wasn't enough of a weapon, she is also an extremely skilled outside hitter and all-around athlete. She has been a conference champion in the hurdles, competes in long jump and basketball.
While there have been a tremendous amount of gifted athletes at Hamilton, Hoppes is definitely in the running for having the most natural athleticism.
"She is an athlete, a complete athlete. She can dive on the floor, get back up and smash the ball," Fogerty said. "It is really rare. I have worked in the school district for a while and one of her middle school gym teachers said she was the most athletic person to ever come through, and I would agree."
The athleticism starts with her legs, which look like they belong to a college sprinter. That muscular power creates an incredible leaping ability, which Hoppes has taken advantage of on the volleyball court, hurdles, long jump - everything.
Those sports help each other.
"I feel like I am very scrappy. I am quick to my feet at times on defense. Long jump, you really work on that explosive movement, which helps me get up. And hurdles. It is all about reaction time and quick movements," she said.
But don't be fooled, her name is pronounces Hopp-es, not hops.
"A lot of people pronounce it wrong, or tell me it should be 'Hops' because I have hops," Hoppes said. "Reed City is very small, way smaller than Hamilton. The sports there weren't as competitive. Here we have challenging conferences and that pushed me to do better. The atmosphere at Hamilton is very supportive. (The support here) is very rewarding. I didn't grow up in Hamilton. Seeing my name in the newspaper here, it is like I created a name for myself. That is really rewarding. I never really expected that. It is really cool."
But not something that she flaunts. Fogerty said it is rare to have an athlete so talented, but never act like they are so talented.
"Her personality goes such a long way with it. You don't expect someone with that athletic talent to be easy going all the time," Fogerty said.
It is something Hoppes saw from AJ Ediger, a multi-sport athlete at Hamilton now playing basketball at Iowa.
"Freshman year, AJ really took me under her wing. She made me feel comfortable and taught me a lot. She was my role model. I definitely looked up to her," Hoppes said.
Like Ediger, Hoppes is looking to end her high school career on a strong note.
"It is senior year and that excitment is there. Going in every day and working my butt off, knowing that I only have one more year left. The energy and atmosphere is something I have not quite experienced like this during my career," she said.
But her career won't be over, no matter what happens this fall. Hoppes has committed to accept a volleyball scholarship at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids.
"I am so excited to go to Aquinas. I can't wait to play with (former Hamilton teammate) Jen Johnson again. Coach Campbell is amazing. He has made me more excited about being a part of something bigger in college. They have a really great education program. I want to be a science teacher. It has been my dream to play college ball. My oldest sister played for Adrian and I always wanted to be like her. She is such a great role model. Seeing her play in college made me want to do the same."
But before she joins the Saints, Hoppes is looking for a strong finish to her Hawkeye career.
"I just want to leave everything on the court. I want us to be able to finish games. We have so much potential and we have been so close in so many matches. We need to get the win," she said. "It is not our athletic ability, it is more mentality. Everyone on the court needs to have the mentality that they want to put the ball down. That will keep us motivated to win."
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: How Hamilton's Jeralyn Hoppes became 'a complete athlete'
