 |  |
Laura Jensen Tabbed As Head Coach Of John Carroll University Volleyball Program
Laura Jensen, most recently the top assistant at Wittenberg
University, has been named the sixth head coach in the 42-year
history of the John Carroll University volleyball program.
Just three months after serving as a member of Paco Labrador's
coaching staff which guided Wittenberg to the 2011 NCAA
Division III national title, Jensen will be called upon
to lead a John Carroll volleyball program that is
18 seasons removed from its last conference crown.
“We are excited that Laura will be joining our department
and leading the volleyball program,” said Laurie
Massa, Director Athletics and Recreation at John Carroll.
“She has experience with the reigning Division III national
championship team and is familiar with Northeast Ohio volleyball
from a recruiting perspective. Laura will bring structure and a
winning attitude which I feel will positively effect our
performance both in the classroom and on the court.”
Jensen joined the Wittenberg volleyball coaching staff in 2009,
shortly after graduating with a degree in health care
administration from Kent State University. During her time at
Wittenberg, she helped the Tigers to three North Coast Athletic
Conference regular season titles, three NCAC Tournament
championships, three NCAA Division III Tournament appearances and
the 2011 NCAA Division III National Championship.
In her three seasons, the Tigers amassed a record of 93-14,
including a 45-1 mark in conference play.
“First, I want to thank Laurie
Massa and Gretchen
Weitbrecht for giving me this opportunity to lead the
women's volleyball program at John Carroll University,” said
Jensen. “Between the top-notch academic offerings, beautiful
facilities, and support for athletics, I believe many key pieces
are in place to help John Carroll compete for conference
championships.
“I also want to thank (Wittenberg Athletic Director) Garnett
Purnell and Paco Labrador for their unwavering support during this
process. Garnett's enthusiasm for his coaches and
student-athletes was something I always enjoyed, and Paco has been
an unbelievable mentor and friend throughout my three seasons with
the Tigers. I will always be thankful for the time I spent at
Wittenberg.”
Among her areas of responsibility while at Wittenberg were
assisting in player development for all positions, coaching defense
and team serve receive, practice planning, scouting, recruiting and
coordinating workouts, team travel and meals.
As a player at Kent State, Jensen earned four varsity letters in
volleyball from 2004-07, captaining the Golden Flashes to a 22-10
record during her senior year, the team's best record in a decade.
Also that year, Kent won 11 conference games to tie a school
record.
A libero, Jensen earned second-team All-Mid-American Conference
(MAC) honors in 2007. She finished her career as the school
record-holder for career digs, career digs per game, digs in a
season, digs per game in a season and digs in a match. She also
ranks among the all-time leaders in MAC history for career
digs.
Jensen served as a student assistant coach for the Golden Flashes
in 2008 before leaving for Wittenberg.
In addition to her collegiate coaching, Jensen has extensive
experience at the club level. In six years, she has been part of
five consecutive bids to the USA Volleyball national tournament,
three of which resulted in top ten finishes. Among her club
coaching stints were two years with the Renaissance Cleveland
Volleyball Club.
A native of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Jensen earned five varsity
letters in volleyball as a high school outside hitter. She earned
second-team all-state honors as a senior.
“I am eager to meet the student-athletes, and I am excited
to start building the foundation for a volleyball program that is
successful not only on the court, but in the classroom and in the
community as well.”
