Head Coach: Jessica Squier
Coach Squier became a member of the NJC Plainswomen’s volleyball team in April of 2012. This is the fifth head coach in NJC’s volleyball history and she is honored. As an alumni of NJC, Coach Squier plans on developing teams into championship caliber and helping her student-athletes achieve their goals academically and athletically.
Coach Squier started her career off at Julesburg High School where she was a three-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball, and track. She was a four year starter in volleyball and basketball. She went to state 13 out of 14 opportunities in her high school career. In her volleyball career she was named to the All-Tournament team three times, 1A Player of the Year twice, 1A State Tournament MVP twice, and helped her team with two 1A State Championships. “I was very blessed to have great coaching in high school as well as having great teammates that supported a common goal,” Coach Squier commented.
After graduating from JHS, Coach Squier chose to continue her volleyball career at NJC. “The atmosphere, coaching staff, and team goals fit me.” Here at NJC Coach Squier played multiple positions her freshmen year. She called herself a “utility player” before transitioning into the setter position her sophomore year. “I was beyond excited when I got the opportunity to transition into the setter role. I busted my butt throughout the summer to develop my footwork, hands, and player awareness. Coach Henry was patient with me which enabled me to move quickly into a leadership position.” Her freshmen and sophomore year she was named on the Academic All-American team and her sophomore year she was named on the All Regional Team.
From NJC, Coach Squier transferred to Georgia State University before transferring to Morningside College to finish her volleyball career. Her and a former NJC teammate teamed up to lead their team to the NAIA National Championships. Morningside didn’t place, but Coach Squier made history by being the first player to be named to the Tachikara All-Tournament Team whose team didn’t make it out of pool play. “Coach Pruett called me and told me that I needed to be there at the championship game. He didn’t tell me what it was about. I was incredibly honored to be part of the Tachikara All-Tournament Team. It is a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Coach Squier is moving into her second season as NJC’s Head Volleyball Coach. Her bachelor’s degree is in counseling and is currently working on her master’s in school counseling.
Contact Coach Squier: Jessica.Squier@njc.edu or 970.521.6656
Assistant Coach: Karen Tang
Coach Tang came to NJC August of 2012. “She has been a great asset to the program with her knowledge about the game of volleyball. She is incredibly hard working and I am fortunate to call her a colleague of mine” said Coach Squier.
Coach Tang started off her college career in China at Fudan University. She then transferred to University of Arkansas as a middle. As a junior she had 1.16 blocks per game. There she majored in political science and received a 4.0 her first semester. After graduating from University of Arkansas she was a graduate assistant at Fort Hays University. She received her master’s in sports administration.
Contact Coach Tang: Karen.Tang@njc.edu or 970.521.6821