DeLaSalle Volleyball player serves science in the off-season
MINNEAPOLIS — Powerful hits and big blocks are just some of what Jordyn Johnson brings to the DeLaSalle volleyball team. The 6"1' senior captain owns her role as a middle blocker for the Islanders.
"Having height has an advantage at the net. It makes it easier to hit over other blockers and block myself," said Johnson. However, playing the game well isn't her only strength and passion.
"So I really love, completely, the whole stem universe," said Johnson. In her free time, Johnson is on a robotics team called: B-O-B.
"B.O.B. stands for Black, Outstanding and Beautiful. We're the first all black, all women's team," said Johnson.
Leading up to her last year of high school, Johnson interned for the Twins in their app and development program and coded some of what fans see on the team's website.
"It can be difficult at times to manage all these things, but if it's really what you love, but if it's really what you love, and you put your mind to it and work for it, you're going to get to where you want to be," said Johnson.
Where Johnson wants to be was University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) majoring in mechanical engineering.
"I hope to join the Air Force or the Space Force and become an engineer there, but not a pilot. [I'm] not a big fan of heights, but that'd be the dream," said Johnson.
While she's making that dream come true academically, she'll also be playing for the UCSB volleyball team.
"She emailed all those coaches, and coaches started reaching out to me asking if it's really true that she's this good and doesn't play year round," said Chelsea Hoops, the head coach of the DeLaSalle volleyball team. Hoops says it's almost unheard of to get recruited for college without playing for a club team in the off season.
"[Jordyn] got noticed by putting herself out there. She's not shy, she will ask for what she wants, and I think what everyone notices the most is how kind she really is and what she brings to our program," said Hoops.
It's easy to see what Johnson does for her teammates outside of earning points. She pours herself into being a leader and a cheerleader. Something she learned from the older players who came before her.
"If you have that leader who is strong, who is encouraging, you're going to be able to persevere through difficult situations," said Johnson.
Since Johnson joined the DeLaSalle Islanders, this volleyball team made state tournament appearances for the first time in program history the last two seasons.They hope to do it again this year, and take home their first medal.
"If we really believe in ourselves, and in each other, and we trust each other, we're going to have success," said Johnson.