It’s official: The John Carroll University athletic department has officially named a new head volleyball coach for the 2012 season.
Laura Jensen, most recently the top assistant coach at Wittenberg University, has been named the sixth head coach in the 42-year history of the Blue Streaks’ volleyball program.
Jensen served as an assistant coach under Wittenberg coach Paco Labrador since the beginning of the 2009 season. During that span, the Tigers had an overall record of 93-14, including a 45-1 mark against conference opponents. Most recently, the Tigers won the 2011 NCAA Division III National Championship, proving that Jensen has long been tied to success.
A 2009 graduate of Kent State University, Jensen is also familiar with northeast Ohio and is excited about the opportunity.
“First, I want to thank [Athletic Director] Laurie Massa and [Associate Athletic Director] Gretchen Weitbrecht for giving me this opportunity to lead the women’s volleyball program at John Carroll University,” said Jensen. “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.”
The Blue Streaks last won the Ohio Athletic Conference 18 years ago under the guidance of Weitbrecht, a drought that Jensen would like to end.
“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,” she said.
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.
Jensen replaces former coach Cally Plummer who had led the Blue Streaks since 2005. John Carroll was held winless in OAC competition this season for the first time since joining the league.
