With a young University of Idaho volleyball team this season, senior libero Delaney Hopen has taken the reigns of this team to lead on and off the court.
After losing six seniors last season, Hopen has stepped up.
Hopen’s passion for the sport and competition has stemmed since the early parts of her childhood. Hopen started playing volleyball in sixth grade after a neighbor recommended she try it, and instantly fell in love.
The Shoreline, Washington, native ended up in Idaho and has taken over as a defensive specialist playing libero for this 2019 season but has played with different team dynamics every year.
“Every year since I got here we had a lot of girls in the grades above me and I think because of that I was used to the same crowd for my first three years,” Hopen said.
The switch from being the youngest to one of the oldest has been a big change, Hopen said.
“This year is my largest growing year as a teammate because I am the oldest, and I have never been the oldest,” Hopen said.
Hopen and fellow senior outside hitter Paige Rupiper have different roles as two leaders for the newer teammates.
“Paige (Rupiper) is definitely more of the mama bear side and I am more of the pusher,” Hopen said.
Head coach Debbie Buchanan said Hopen is very good at holding her team accountable.
“To be a leader you have to be able to tell your team some things that they sometimes do not want to hear,” Buchanan said. “But she is able to fill that role because of the great relationships she has built with everyone.”
A young teammate who has seen Hopen in this capacity is freshman middle blocker Kyra Palmbush.
“Delaney (Hopen) just kind of took me under her wing right away,” Palmbush said. “I just feel comfortable coming to her if I’m struggling.”
Hopen’s teammates look up to her as a leading figure, always holding her teammates to a higher standard.
“She’s (Hopen) been on the team for a while and just knows how it works and how to step out and lead,” Palmbush said. “As a young team I think that it is huge to have a leader like her.”
Buchanan said Hopen’s focus is being competitive and wanting to play at the highest level.
“She is third in the conference right now for digging and was second close to first,” Buchanan said. “She is definitely doing those things well along with leading her team.”
Buchanan commends Hopen on her ability to be vocal and talk with her team.
“She is a fantastic communicator, which is a trait that you have to have,” Buchanan said. “Is she a good volleyball player? Yes, but to be a good volleyball player she has to be vocal, especially in her role.”
The balance of ages on this team has pushed Hopen to lead in many different ways and her ability to hold others accountable really shows.
“I think accountability stems from equality,” Hopen said. “Just because someone is a freshman does not mean that their role is less or more important than anyone else.”
Hopen has had a long journey through Vandal volleyball and leads side-by-side with her fellow senior.
Buchanan said she is happy about having both on the team and is optimistic about this team and where it will go in the future.
Buchanan said the three words she would use to describe Hopen are: compassionate, competitive and passionate.
Hopen will continue to hold her team accountable and push them toward success.
“Our best quality on this team is how much we like each other,” Hopen said. “You know that I trust you and you know I care about you so we need to push each other in a positive way.”
Connor Swersey can be reached at [email protected]