Jenna Kelley, a graduate from University of Tennessee Martin, was announced to be the new assistant coach for Union’s volleyball team.
“Volleyball is one of my biggest passions,” Kelley said.
After graduating from college in 2012, with bachelors degree in political science, she then served as a graduate assistant for two years in the UTM athletic department. Kelley also earned her master’s in business administration in May 2014.
Kelley then moved from Tennessee to St. Louis, Missouri, where she worked with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was a coach for the Rockwood Thunder Volleyball Club.
During her college career, Kelly was named to the 2011 NCAA DI Academic All-American team, the NCAA Capital One Academic First Team All-District and was the Ohio Valley Conference Scholar Athlete.
Kelley will be working primarily with the setters to help and establish an effective offense. She will also be working alongside McClure in the recruiting process and running practices. Kelley is also looking forward to supporting, encouraging and spiritually pouring into the team.
“Volleyball teaches you discipline and self-control,” Kelley said. “It demands hard work, dedication, determination and it rewards you with a family of teammates to support you and care for you long after the season ends.”
Kelley would like to accomplish many things while being the assistant coach, but the main accomplishment she would like to make is getting the girls to the Gulf Coast Conference Championship.
“It’s going to take hard work and dedication from our players and coaching staff, but I know we can do it,” Kelley said.
Kelley has worked alongside Darrin McClure, the new head coach of the volleyball team, for four years and is now excited to get to work alongside him again.
“I am excited and looking forward to working with her,” McClure said.
McClure is excited about getting a new assistant coach because he knows Kelley has a strong work ethic and knows that she will be a good influence to the girls on the volleyball team.
