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(article posted by Jeremy Rushing, Student Sports Information Assistant)
Nov. 12, 2012 - Utilizing her quick thinking both on and off the court, North Central College Volleyball player
Jenae Harner has earned plenty of accolades for her work on the court and in the classroom. The senior has earned both CCIW Player of the Week honors as well as Academic All-CCIW honors over her four seasons in a Cardinal uniform.
Jenae has been making an impact on the Cardinal volleyball program since first stepping on the court as a freshman. In her first season at North Central, Jenae played in 27 varsity matches. She finished third on the team with 232 kills while adding 202 digs and 19 service aces. The Interactive Media Studies major capped off an impressive opening campaign by earning CCIW Offensive Player of the Week honors for the week of November 3rd.
In her sophomore season, Jenae played in 31 varsity matches. The Effingham native increased her kill total (256) and dig total (221) from the previous season. She added 37 blocks and 16 service aces, while ranking ninth in the CCIW, with 2.51 kills per set. Jenae finished her second season as a Cardinal by earning Academic All-CCIW honors.
Jenae's third year turned out to be quite the charm. As a junior, Jenae led the team in service aces with 38, while ranking second in kills with 328, and second in digs with 327. The Outside Hitter added 30 total blocks and ranked third in the CCIW with 0.47 service aces per set in conference play.
In her final season for North Central, Jenae started and played in 33 of the Cardinals 34 total matches. Jenae led the team with 347 kills and added 28 service aces. She also finished second on the team with 297 digs while adding 28 blocks.
Q: How long have you been playing volleyball?
A: I've been playing volleyball for eight years.
Q: How did you start getting involved with volleyball?
A: I was in junior high. I saw there was a volleyball team and thought it would be a great sport to try out (laughs).
Q: What's your favorite part about playing for Coach Bunkenburg?
A: She's a very inspirational coach who really works hard to give us little tidbits every day in practice, or before a game to inspire us.
Q: What have you learned from her that you could apply to your daily life?
A: One of the things she stresses is to practice like you play. I feel like I can take a lot from that, and bring it to my everyday life.
Q: She just broke the school record for wins. What did it mean to you to be on the court for that moment?
A: It was a huge moment for her, and it was also great for me because she's done so much for me and our team. It felt awesome to be one of the players that could help her achieve that,
Q: What's your favorite class you have taken so far at North Central?
A: I'm currently in one called “Digital Illustration and Pre-Press”. I believe this is my favorite because I've learned such a great amount of information I know will help me in the future.
Q: You are an Interactive Media Studies major with a focus in Graphic Arts, what exactly does that mean?
A: Interactive Media Studies is an interesting major because it has three tracks. I chose Graphic Arts because it combines art and technology. I think it has a huge place in the future of our society and for me personally. I hope this means I'll be working with either logos, or pretty much any of the adobe applications on the computer.
Q: What's your favorite part of having this major?
A: My favorite part about this major is it gives me an opportunity to be creative while I'm actually in class.
Q: What sets it apart from other majors, in your opinion?
A: There is such a creative atmosphere around the people who are part of this and I don't feel like I could get that anywhere else.
Q: What do you hope to do with your degree after college?
A: After college, I hope to become a graphic artist, or maybe even dabble in web design. So, I guess it just depends on the opportunities that arise for me.
Q: If you could give an incoming freshman advice about being a student-athlete, what would you tell them?
A: I'd tell them to get involved. Not just in your sport, but in other on-campus activities. It's a great way to meet new people and develop lasting relationships that will last the rest of your life.
