SJEL volleyball coach ready to lead team in fall

ST. JOHN — Jenn Johnson, from Roseburg, Ore., going into her sixth year as head volleyball coach, is ready and ecstatic for the start of the upcoming season.

Since moving to St. John in 2015, Johnson has been coaching at the school. She was an assistant coach for three years before taking over the head coach duties. Johnson is also the St. John-Endicott PE/Health teacher, going into her second year. She’s a city girl turned farm girl, and could not be happier.

Johnson started her own volleyball journey in fifth grade.

“I played all through high school, and I played for the club Webfoot Juniors. In college, I went a completely different route and chose to pursue a completely different collegiate sport and walked on to the women’s rowing team at Oregon State University,” Johnson said.

Johnson also said that she is excited for the upcoming season, especially after the camp that was held in June this year to get the girls back in the swing of things.

“I am really looking forward to the natural chemistry that the girls have. They put in a lot of work over the summer, and I am really excited to watch them bring their hard work to this fall season,” Johnson said.

Among the strengths of the volleyball team this year is the bench depth that the team will have this season. Johnson described that the underclassmen crew coming to the team are hungry, and ready for any opportunity given to them this season.

“We are lucky to practice all together, making sure everyone knows the rotation and can jump in at any time,” Johnson said.

As a coach, Johnson believes her strengths lie in her motivation and willingness to understand her team.

“I also get the opportunity to work with them from the beginning of their volleyball careers in 6th grade and build strong relationships with them and their families until they graduate,” Johnson said.

Johnson also described that she believes that is an uncommon thing for most coaches, and loves that she works in a small town that is able to allow that opportunity to Johnson.

For expectations of the SJEL volleyball team, Johnson expects hard work, and being honest with each other.

“For example, walking into practice after school, they may only have 80% to give, and that’s okay!” Johnson said.

Johnson said that keeping the communication between player and coach open is huge, and provides the opportunity for Johnson to be there to help her players, and vice versa.

Johnson will look to lead the SJEL volleyball team to a successful 2023-24 season. She expects hard work, honesty, and believe the team chemistry already generated, mixed with the underclassmen talent are enough ingredients for the recipe of a successful season.