ORLANDO, Fla. — Orangewood Christian, a small school in Florida, has made a big name for themselves in the beach volleyball scene this season.

The team is currently ranked first in their region and fourth in the state of Florida.

What You Need To Know

  • Jordan Parke is a senior captain for Orangewood Christian beach volleyball

  • She began playing beach volleyball her sophomore year

  • This season, she and her partner have won every set they have played

  • Orangewood Christian ranks first out of the Orlando programs, and 4th in the state

Jordan Parke, a senior and one of the team’s leaders, has been instrumental in their success.

“She will dive anywhere,” said Orangewood Christian beach volleyball head coach Adrienne Czaplewski. “She was like, ‘ugh I don’t wanna do it’ her first year and now she’s just a relentless pursuer on the court.”

Having grown up as an indoor volleyball player, Parke has embraced the new challenge and watched her game grow.

“I love the sun obviously because I’m from Florida,” said Parke. “It’s just so fun playing every position you have to be good at everything: hitting setting and passing, and I’ve become a better all-around player playing it.”

As one of the senior leaders on the team, and also part of coach Adrienne’s first-ever class, she’s now helping the younger players at Orangewood Christian.

“Beach is definitely something you have to adapt to and its different from indoor so just kinda encouraging them and it's something you have to learn,” said Parke. “It’s gonna take time to figure out how to do the different stuff jumping different, divings different. Just encouraging them to keep going and it’s gonna come eventually.”

She started playing beach volleyball her sophomore year and has been with the same partner ever since.

The pair hasn’t lost a set all season. The only set they have lost came at States last year, something her coach said she’s never seen anything like it. 

“I just think that it shows a lot about the chemistry we have together,” said Parke. “It’s definitely a two-man sport and it takes two to win. Just us working together even off the court were friends. Our relationship built off the court and it definitely shows.”

“Just the unspoken between her and her partner they know where they’re at they know what they need to do,” said Czaplewski. “Those extra little things to push them over the top against some of these massive schools.”

Parke’s biggest motivator is her father, who encouraged her to pursue athletics.

“He’s been super encouraging like you can do anything you put your mind to and he’s just been my biggest supporter,” Parke said.

Although her high school career is coming to an end, she plans to carry on her love for volleyball in the future.