Eastern Michigan Athletics
Dorton Tabs Jena Otec as New Assistant Volleyball Coach
4/19/2022 12:23:00 PM | Volleyball
A former national standout at Purdue, Otec will work primarily on passing and defensive strategies with EMU
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University volleyball program and Head Coach Darcy Dorton announced the hiring of its newest assistant coach, Jena Otec, today, April 20. Otec officially began her role with the team last week.
In her new position, Otec will primarily work to develop the team's passing and defensive strategies.
"I am thrilled to have Jena join the Eastern Michigan volleyball program," offered Dorton. "Over her five-year playing career at Purdue, she has gained expertise-level knowledge in what it takes to be a successful student-athlete at the highest level, because she has done it! Jena has learned a lot about how to teach the game of volleyball during her time at Purdue. She was an outstanding player, and I am looking forward to watching her develop into an outstanding coach. Our Eastern Michigan volleyball student-athletes will be mentored by one of the best young coaches in the game. Working with Jena has already been a great experience, and we're just getting started!"
During her playing career, and in the time since, Otec has continued to excel as a coach. Prior to her newest role with EMU, she spent five years with The Academy Boiler Juniors, a Lafayette, Ind.-based organization that offers club teams, camps, clinics, lessons, tournaments, and more for youth volleyball players in that area. There, Otec has served as the head coach for numerous teams, including The Academy Boiler Juniors 15 Gold (2020-21), 16 Gold (2021-22), and 12 Regional (2017-18). She led her teams to numerous championships during her time guiding them, and has also mentored multiple standout junior players.
Most recently, Otec helped a pair of players earn spots on the AVCA Phenom Watch List and helped one clinch a spot participating in the USA National Training and Development Program. She also helped multiple prep athletes become an all-state honorees in Indiana.
In addition to her work with The Academy Boiler Juniors, Otec also established and has run Jena Otec Volleyball Camps since 2021. She serves as the Director of Operations and Lead Instructor for the camps, teaching junior high school and high school players. Focus areas include passing and defensive drills, and an emphasis on fundamental development.
"I am very grateful and excited for this opportunity to join the Eastern Michigan volleyball program," said Otec. "I am eager to get to work with the team, helping them to be successful on and off the court. I am honored to be an Eagle and to get to work alongside Head Coach Darcy Dorton and Assistant Coach Tyler Golsteyn. I have been blessed to play for and learn from some amazing coaches and mentors in my career, and I hope to share my knowledge, experience, and passion for the game here in Ypsilanti."
A standout collegiate player, Otec was a nationally recognized defensive specialist at Purdue University. A five-time letterwinner with the Boilermakers, Otec was twice named an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American (2020, 2021), was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree (2020, 2021), earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2020, and was a multiple-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2020, 2021). Additionally, she collected All-American honors from VolleyballMag.com following both the 2020 and 2021 campaigns.
One of the best players in the Big Ten Conference, Otec started every set during her senior campaign. She was the first Purdue Boilermaker in history to earn All-America honors from the AVCA as she finished at No. 23 in the nation in digs (383) during the spring campaign. She closed that season with 4.56 digs per set, the third-best mark in program history.
A two-time graduate of Purdue, Otec holds her bachelor's degree in Selling and Sales Management, and a master's degree in Technology, Leadership, and Innovation.
A St. Louis, Mo. native, Otec resides in Ypsilanti with her miniature Golden-Doodle, Moose.
In her new position, Otec will primarily work to develop the team's passing and defensive strategies.
"I am thrilled to have Jena join the Eastern Michigan volleyball program," offered Dorton. "Over her five-year playing career at Purdue, she has gained expertise-level knowledge in what it takes to be a successful student-athlete at the highest level, because she has done it! Jena has learned a lot about how to teach the game of volleyball during her time at Purdue. She was an outstanding player, and I am looking forward to watching her develop into an outstanding coach. Our Eastern Michigan volleyball student-athletes will be mentored by one of the best young coaches in the game. Working with Jena has already been a great experience, and we're just getting started!"
During her playing career, and in the time since, Otec has continued to excel as a coach. Prior to her newest role with EMU, she spent five years with The Academy Boiler Juniors, a Lafayette, Ind.-based organization that offers club teams, camps, clinics, lessons, tournaments, and more for youth volleyball players in that area. There, Otec has served as the head coach for numerous teams, including The Academy Boiler Juniors 15 Gold (2020-21), 16 Gold (2021-22), and 12 Regional (2017-18). She led her teams to numerous championships during her time guiding them, and has also mentored multiple standout junior players.
Most recently, Otec helped a pair of players earn spots on the AVCA Phenom Watch List and helped one clinch a spot participating in the USA National Training and Development Program. She also helped multiple prep athletes become an all-state honorees in Indiana.
In addition to her work with The Academy Boiler Juniors, Otec also established and has run Jena Otec Volleyball Camps since 2021. She serves as the Director of Operations and Lead Instructor for the camps, teaching junior high school and high school players. Focus areas include passing and defensive drills, and an emphasis on fundamental development.
"I am very grateful and excited for this opportunity to join the Eastern Michigan volleyball program," said Otec. "I am eager to get to work with the team, helping them to be successful on and off the court. I am honored to be an Eagle and to get to work alongside Head Coach Darcy Dorton and Assistant Coach Tyler Golsteyn. I have been blessed to play for and learn from some amazing coaches and mentors in my career, and I hope to share my knowledge, experience, and passion for the game here in Ypsilanti."
A standout collegiate player, Otec was a nationally recognized defensive specialist at Purdue University. A five-time letterwinner with the Boilermakers, Otec was twice named an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American (2020, 2021), was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree (2020, 2021), earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2020, and was a multiple-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2020, 2021). Additionally, she collected All-American honors from VolleyballMag.com following both the 2020 and 2021 campaigns.
One of the best players in the Big Ten Conference, Otec started every set during her senior campaign. She was the first Purdue Boilermaker in history to earn All-America honors from the AVCA as she finished at No. 23 in the nation in digs (383) during the spring campaign. She closed that season with 4.56 digs per set, the third-best mark in program history.
A two-time graduate of Purdue, Otec holds her bachelor's degree in Selling and Sales Management, and a master's degree in Technology, Leadership, and Innovation.
A St. Louis, Mo. native, Otec resides in Ypsilanti with her miniature Golden-Doodle, Moose.
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