Hard Work and Tenured Coaching Ensures Hopewell Girls JH Volleyball Team is SET to SERVE Success in 2025

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The Hopewell Junior High Girls 7th and 7th grade volleyball teams are extremely excited for their upcoming 2025 season.

With an already familiar 8th grade team, the Lady Vikings are craving the opportunity to improve upon their 7-8 record from last season.

Whereas the 8th grade team returns many of their players from last season, that’s not the case with the 7th grade team, which is full of newcomers to the sport of volleyball but are eagerly waiting to begin this brand-new sport.

I caught up with 8th grade head coach Terry Borkovic and discussed what he is looking forward to most this season, his goals for the team, and the differences between coaching middle schoolers and high schoolers.

Coach expressed that younger, developing players require a different approach and style of coaching.

“When coaching middle school players compared to high school, I need to have patience,” said Borkovic. “Patience is key when you’re working with younger grades. It is more of a teaching process, as opposed to coaching.”

While teaching will continue to be the key focus for this group, Coach Borkovic still has high hopes for ongoing success due to the commitment and energy displayed by the group.

“I think we have a really good group of girls here to grow and develop,” said Borkovic. “I’m looking forward to the energy, and watching the players improve from one match, from one practice to the next. Obviously, we’d like to have a winning record, but I just want to see the girls improve.”

While Coach Borkovic is coaching the 8th grade team, Lexi Thompson will be the coach of the 7th grade team.

We talked about what she is looking forward to this season, some of her favorite memories, and some tactics on how she develops new volleyball players.

Coach Thompson believes success with new volleyball players is centered around understanding the individuals on the team and ensuring that fundamentals are the focus.

“I want to get to know my girls as a person and watch them grow as volleyball players,” said Thompson. “To teach the new girls, you have to get back to the basics; the ‘nitty gritty’ of being a volleyball player and then putting it all together and watching them succeed.”

The Hopewell coaching staff’s formula and complimentary style is working because success is the name of the game for Hopewell Lady Vikings Volleyball. One of the remarkable parts about the Hopewell High School Girls volleyball program is the long-term stability that has been in place with the coaches. Coach Borkovic has been the Hopewell Volleyball Coach for 35 years, and Coach Thompson, a previous Hopewell Volleyball player, has been a Junior High Coach for four years. Having that stability between the Junior High and Varsity programs is extremely beneficial and allows for quick transition into the JV and Varsity levels.

All home games will be played at Gym A at the Hopewell Junior High, 7th Grade starts at 3:30 PM and 8th grade follows. Please some out and support this hard-working team at one (or more) of the following Home Games:

2/19: vs. South Fayette

2/24: vs. Quaker Valley

3/3: vs. West Allegheny

3/10: vs. Montour

3/12: vs. Eden Christian

3/14: vs. Avonworth

3/19: vs. Fort Cherry