Marc Narducci: Gloucester Catholic volleyball star thriving at soccer

For many players, the adjustment they face involves moving from junior varsity to varsity. Gloucester Catholic's Jessica Kupcha had a transition much different from most first-year varsity soccer players.

For the senior goalie, the challenge was going from spikes to saves. Before the school season, she accepted a volleyball scholarship to George Washington University. And then Kupcha made a decision that has had a profound impact on the soccer team. She switched sports this fall.

Instead of competing on the volleyball team, she has been an integral part of a Gloucester Catholic soccer squad that again finds itself ranked No. 6 in South Jersey by The Inquirer and aiming to defend its Non-Public B state title.

Kupcha played soccer before, but this is her first year competing since the seventh grade. And with seven shutouts for the 12-1 Rams, she hasn't taken too long to shake off the rust.

"There has been some adjustment, but it's been so much fun," Kupcha said.

It hasn't been so much fun for opposing shooters.

"In my 12 years, she is one of the top kids to come through here athletically," Gloucester Catholic coach Kate Ormsby said. "You could see that she competes at a high level in volleyball."

Kupcha said that when she mentioned the topic of playing soccer to George Washington volleyball coaches, it was met with some apprehension.

"They questioned me about it," she said. "I am still playing club volleyball."

She competes for the club team Synergy out of Pennsylvania. That season will begin in November, just as soccer is ending.

She says that volleyball remains her No. 1 passion but that she is having a blast playing soccer for the Rams.

"I forgot how much I liked playing soccer," she said.

Kupcha says that she was persuaded to go out for the team by one of her best friends, Korrie Harkins, who happens to be Gloucester Catholic's leading scorer and among the most dangerous players in South Jersey.

They were on a field just fooling around with a soccer ball, and Kupcha was making one save after another. What started as a casual conversation about playing soccer turned serious, and Kupcha decided to make the commitment.

She said that playing soccer helps her in volleyball. "The diving, the hand-eye coordination, it's all good for me," she said.

At 5-foot-6, Kupcha isn't overly tall for a keeper, but she has shown great leaping ability and anticipation.

"Her reflexes are unbelievable," Ormsby said. "In practice she has made some unbelievable diving saves on penalty kicks and in the games she is fearless, diving all over the place."

Kupcha's success brings up a question Ormsby has asked herself constantly.

"I'd be interested to see where she'd be if she played all four years in high school," the Gloucester Catholic coach said.

As it is, Ormsby is happy that she decided to play one season.

"Not only is she playing well, but she is an outstanding kid," Ormsby said. "She is so funny and intelligent."