Last Friday, St. Charles North’s Haley Burgdorf took a visit to Penn State, which will be her college home, to watch a Big Ten match between the Nittany Lions and Michigan State.
As she took in the three-game sweep and hung out with her future teammates, one thing kept popping into her head.
“I was talking to all the girls and I was like, ‘I literally can’t wait to get there,’” Burgdorf said.
The 2025 Beacon-News/Courier-News Girls Volleyball Player of the Year doesn’t have to wait much longer. Burgdorf, a three-time player of the year, leaves for Happy Valley on Jan. 8.
For players of her caliber — Burgdorf, ranked 29th nationally, is the top recruit from Illinois for the 2025 class — it’s not uncommon to graduate early and get a head start on the college level.
Burgdorf made that decision shortly after she verbally committed to Penn State in summer 2024.
“I was always on the fence, even before recruiting started,” Burgdorf said. “The more I looked into it, I asked if there was a way I could graduate early. I had all of the credits.”
St. Charles North coach Lindsey Hawkins pointed out, in order for Burgdorf to have a chance to play as a freshman, this was the best decision.
“Not a lot of girls do it, but at that level, most of the kids have been going early and getting a semester under their belts training with the team,” Hawkins said. “It gives you the extra advantage of getting on the court as a freshman.”
That’s her goal — put herself in position to immediately contribute to a perennial national powerhouse program.
After finally becoming the oldest player on the team as a senior, Burgdorf goes right back to essentially playing up a level, which she has done ever since she was 11 years old.
Only this time, she’s competing with other All-Americans.
“It’s crazy I have to start school all over again, but the mentality is when I get the opportunity to take it and be confident the whole time,” Burgdorf said. “You have to work for the position.
“Once they see I have it and know when they put me out there I can be a star, I’ll get a chance.”
Hawkins confirmed that Burgdorf shines brightest when faced with a challenge.
“She’s always been kind of an underdog trying to compete with older kids,” Hawkins said. “It wasn’t until her junior year that she was one of the upperclassmen. I think she has a mentality of, ‘Oh, you don’t think I can do it? Let me show you.’
“She’s always had a chip on her shoulder.”
It would be foolish to count her out. Burgdorf graduates as the best player in program history for the North Stars. A first-team all-state selection and two-time DuKane Conference Player of the Year, she finished her career with 1,658 kills, 758 digs and 162 aces, all program records.
“The likelihood of getting to coach that caliber of athlete again is unlikely,” Hawkins said. “It’s so rare. The person she is, my kids have such a special relationship with her. That’s been awesome.
“They’re already talking about how they’re going to Penn State to watch her play. It’s more than just volleyball. It’s who she is and what she means to my family. It’s definitely going to be hard.”
Burgdorf couldn’t ask for a stronger bond than she has with Hawkins.
“She’s someone I can always go to,” Burgdorf said. “She’s almost like my second mom.”
A trip to Orlando on New Year’s Day for the Under Armour All-American game will be the last hurrah before Burgdorf starts the next chapter of her journey.
“It’s sad,” she said. “I can’t believe I was a freshman four years ago. I can’t believe it’s ending, but I will definitely keep in touch.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.