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.”
