2023 Shore Sports Network Girls Volleyball Player of the Year: Jordyn Hamlin

If you talk to Jordyn Hamlin just one time, you will understand the sentiment that surrounds her. 

She is next level different. Head Coach Eric Maxwell told Shore Sports Network “she has those qualities that are hard to quantify. I never like to say that it’s only one player that makes a team, but she was that leader that would do anything for the program.”

Jordyn Hamlin has a strong case to be considered the best to ever wear the black and gold uniform for the Rams of Southern Regional, hence the easy decision to name her the 2023 Shore Sports Network Girls Volleyball Player of the Year presented by Brielle Orthopedics.

Hamlin exemplifies everything it means to be a student athlete in The Shore Conference. From having on and off court leadership, being an Honors student, respect for everyone around her, demonstrating core values developed from her family and of course a dominant swinging arm from the Outside Hitter position, “Jordyn checks all the boxes” Maxwell continued.

“Jordyn Hamlin is the most excellent representative an athletic program could have. She conducts herself with class and grace no matter on the court, in the classroom or in our community.” remarked Chuck Donohue Jr., Southern Regional Athletic Director.

Hamlin has not only established herself as a Ram legend, but she is also considered one of the all-time greats within Shore Conference history. Her senior year saw 278 kills, 9 blocks, 212 digs, 12 assists, 189 service points and 52 aces in state official matches which do not include stats accrued during some tournament play, all while leading her team to a New Jersey Group IV title. This followed a 31-1 junior season with comparable stats bringing her career totals to 788 kills, 33 blocks, 729 digs, 30 assists, 523 service points and 158 aces.

Jordyn Hamlin will be the first to attribute her on court successes to her teammates. In an interview with Hamlin and senior setter Molly Regulski, both with remarkable stat lines, they indicated that those numbers only happen because of the contributions from each and every one of their teammates.

Opening up the season, the Rams started out on a 13 game win streak with key defeats over Old Bridge, their South Jersey Group IV rival Williamstown, St. John Vianney and Washington Township. During that month long stretch, the Rams only lost one set (Washington Township).

The key to any team’s late season successes are marked by their early season lessons learned. Up to this point, the Rams had run the table and had not been exposed. They decided to travel two hours north to the (at the time) 14th ranked team in the nation, Immaculate Heart Academy where they lost in two sets not breaking 20 points in either game.

This loss was a key moment for Hamlin and the Rams, as they uncovered some weak spots. Many athletes at the high school level reflect on moments like these later in life, but rather Jordyn Hamlin rallied the troops, learned from their exploits, and focused on becoming a better team than they had been all season.

Certain programs become perennial powerhouses due to their performance over the course of many years, however there's always a surrounding cast that leads the program into those uncharted dynastic territories. Half way through the season, a conversation between Coach Maxwell and Jordyn Hamlin took place where Hamlin moved her rotational positional knowing it would be better for the team. Her phenomenal defensive skills were now put on display, and that combined with extended periods of dominant outside hitting by juniors Jess Smart and Bryn Hagen as well as senior Sarah Capone who moved to be a right side hitter.

The Rams went on another 8-game win streak into their next loss at the hands of Princeton which would prove to be the final loss of Hamlin’s illustrious career.

Southern Regional entered the Shore Conference Tournament as the number one seed and the clear favorite with Hamlin on the court. In the second round against Rumson-Fair Haven, Hamlin posted 12 kills in the two-set victory. The quarterfinals saw the Rams handle a resurging Middletown South team, and in the semifinals Hamlin displayed her elite service game with 10 service points through two sets. In the SCT final held at Georgian Court University, the Rams were setup with a previous season finals rematch, and a very motivated Griffins lineup who fell to the Rams only two weeks prior. Jordyn Hamlin demonstrated her x-factor, leading with 9 digs and 9 kills, having the Rams hoist their second consecutive Shore Conference Tournament title.

Leading the way in the South Jersey Group IV power point rankings, the sights were set on Williamstown who handed the Rams their only loss in 2022 in the South Jersey Group IV sectional final round.

Southern ran through Toms River North, Cherokee and Lenape to get themselves back in position for the South Jersey Group IV sectionals, where they were matched up against the expected foe Williamstown.

November 7th the Rams hosted the Braves, and the seasons successes were to be determined in Manahawkin. This match did not disappoint being dubbed the “Game of the Year” by PJ Potter at NJ Advance Media. Set one went long where Hamlin and the Rams needed 26 points, but they breathed a big sigh of relief securing the set after the Braves finished the set strong.

Set two started up right where Williamstown left off and Southern fell 25-20 forcing a final set. Ultimately the Rams won with the multi faceted Hamlin securing 7 kills, 10 digs, 7 service points and an ace to boot.

Getting past the South Jersey Group IV is always the hardest part of Southern’s schedule, but 48 hours later they were expected to play in the semi final round of the overall Group IV versus Monroe.

The first set had the feel of an impending letdown after beating Williamstown. Monroe beat Southern 25-18 and started out 8-2 in set two. The intangible qualities of the Shore Sports Network Player of the Year emerged, and Jordyn Hamlin took over. The Rams won the next two sets where Hamlin recorded 18 kills, 12 digs and 2 aces.

“Jordyn constantly makes the people around her better through her incredible work ethic and leadership qualities” noted Maxwell. This is exactly what happened against Monroe, because even though she had a remarkable career, this was a defining game to be earmarked on her legacy at Southern Regional.

Southern eventually went on to be New Jersey Group IV Champions versus Morristown where the game was never in question, the first title in 15 years.

“I just wanted this for them so bad. Jordyn has worked so hard, all the seniors have worked so hard, they deserved it” Maxwell continued.

Jordyn Hamlin is your 2023 Shore Sports Network Girls Volleyball Player of the Year and she will continue her volleyball career at Le Moyne College in Syracuse next fall.