Jackie Adelphia leaves Hinsdale South with four titles

Jackie Adelphia doesn’t know when she’ll play her final volleyball match, but she’s already happy with the legacy she has created at Hinsdale South.

Adelphia is one of three seniors on Hornets coach Lisa Martinez’ roster and the only one who’s been a part of four West Suburban Gold championship teams. The Hornets won 25-19, 25-20 over Leyden Oct. 22 to win their fifth consecutive conference title.

She is the only player on the roster who was part of Hinsdale South’s supersectional team in 2010 that lost to Edwardsville.

The Hornets have been below .500 this season in a rebuilding year, but swept all six of their conference opponents.

Adelphia, a 6-foot middle hitter from Darien will end her career before heading off to college.

“I’ve been on the varsity all four years although as a freshman, I did not play too much,’ Adelphia said. “We’ve won four conference championships. It’s an honor to be a part of it. The program has brought me so much. It’s nice that I’ve been there for all four years.”

This year’s conference title was uncertain considering the Hornets have three freshmen and two sophomores on their roster. The only other seniors are outside hitters Natalie Bochenek and Sarah Garringer.

“For us, this year was especially good. It’s good for us because we’re still younger. We do not have a lot of seniors at this level,” Martinez said.

Garringer and Bochenek have become some of Adelphia’s best friends, but Adelphia said she will also miss playing with junior setters Lizzie Niestrom and Veronica Cribbs.

“It has been an adventure,” Adelphia said. “You work for a whole year, and you definitely miss what you worked for.”

The Hornets lost to District 86 rival Hinsdale Central 25-13, 25-23 at its annual Volley for the Cure match Oct. 23 in Hinsdale, despite three kills, a block and an ace by Adelphia.

The two schools were scheduled to play again in the Class 4A Hinsdale South Regional opener on Tuesday night.