At a very young age, Jake Hanes started playing volleyball. And his big dreams began.
Jake and his brother, Frank, would play volleyball in the backyard of their Orland Park home with their mother, Jennifer. The two siblings then eventually joined a local rec league.
“When I was 8, I said I want to be playing in the Olympics someday,” Jake recalled.
Twenty years later, Hanes is getting close to having that dream become a reality.
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A huge growth spurt while he was at Sandburg, a powerful swing, a killer serve and the ability to both play defense and pass the ball have helped the 6-foot-11 Hanes emerge as a right-side hitter for Team USA.
Hanes has been on the team since 2020 but did not make the final cut for either the 2020 or 2024 Olympic roster. He has high hopes for 2028.
“I have to trust the process,” Hanes said. “A lot of the guys have been playing for a real long time. Things got shuffled up a little this year and it created a space that I would try to fill.
“I haven’t been able to play in the Olympics or some of the national championship matches, but I didn’t let it get me down. I kept working and doing my thing, and now, I’m getting my chance.”
Hanes and the Team USA are playing in the Volleyball Nations League, which made a stop from July 15-19 at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates. The Americans finished 2-2 with wins over China and Brazil followed by losses to Poland and Brazil.
Team USA (8-4) drew the fifth seed in the VNL finals and will face fourth-seeded Italy (8-4) in Wednesday’s quarterfinals at Ningbo Beilun, China.
Hanes played in three matches at Hoffman Estates, producing 34 kills in front of friends and family.
“A lot of my family who hadn’t seen me play since I was a kid were there,” he said. “They saw me play at a much higher level than they were used to seeing me play.”
Since graduating from Sandburg and playing in college at Ohio State, Hanes has been “bouncing all over the world.” And one of those bounces included Berlin.
“A lot of where his growth has taken place is playing for his Berlin professional team,” USA coach Karch Kiraly said of Hanes. “I’ve seen him do some very special things on the volleyball court.”
And in the volleyball world, Hanes is making a huge splash. Everett Delorme of the Volleyball Source 2.0 YouTube channel has liked what he has seen this year from Hanes.
“Not only has Hanes been one of the best American players, he’s been one of the best players in the VNL period,” Delorme said in a video. “He’s up there with some of the biggest names in the game.”
Delorme pointed out that Hanes doesn’t do things the “prettiest way” but gets the job done.
“He doesn’t have the highest jump or the best-looking swing,” Delorme said of Hanes. “But he’s a guy who can handle a lot of volume and do it efficiently.
“I think there is a long, bright future ahead for Jake Hanes, and I think he’s gong to be a huge part of this Team USA roster.”
Hanes has had his ups and downs in the sport. But if he can make the Olympic team when he’s 30, it will be all worth it. And the way he sees it, he’s still playing a sport he loves.
“It’s one of the true team sports,” he said. “Once you touch the ball, you need a teammate to help you out. You learn to depend on other people.
“I’ve been able to work with some really great people throughout my career.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.