Throughout the 2009-2010 academic year, the Northeast-10 and its member institutions will be featuring student-athletes across the conference in the brand new ‘Student-Athlete Spotlight’ section on the Northeast-10 website. Our third installment, submitted by Southern Connecticut State University Associate Director of Athletics Communications, Michael Kobylanski, features women’s volleyball player Jenna Tammel.


By Michael Kobylanski, Southern Connecticut


A drive towards a promising professional career in the business world led Jenna Tammel to Southern Connecticut State University.

However, it’s a relentless drive towards success on the volleyball court has made her one of the top players in the Northeast-10 Conference.

Tammel, a senior outside hitter for the Owls, has played an integral role in the rapid evolution of the program into a formidable one both within the conference and the region.

Over the past two years, she has served as a guiding force for a relatively young squad – in the classroom, on the court, in the community and in the professional realm.

“I thought that Jenna would complement a young group of student-athletes on our squad,” said Owls’ head coach Lisa Barbaro. “I thought that she would bring in instant leadership, as well as talent and ability. She was what our team needed to get over the hump and get to the next level.”

Tammel actually initiated contact with Barbaro while attending Iowa Lakes Community College, where she was an Academic All-American and All-Conference performer.

Volleyball is often a sport on the collegiate landscape that features national and international recruiting for coaches. However, in this case, it was the Spring Valley, Minn. native who had a desire to leave the quiet of the Midwest for the hustle and bustle of the Northeast.

“I’m a communications major, and I knew that there would be more opportunities within the career world on the East Coast,” Tammel said. “I was looking at Division II schools, I wanted to be in a city...”

Tammel chose the campus of Southern Connecticut State University and the city of New Haven to accomplish her goals. The dividends were nearly instantaneous for the Owls in 2008.

Tammel quickly established herself as one of the top players in the conference. Selected Third-Team All-Conference at the conclusion of the year, she ranked first in the league in service aces (83) and fourth in kills per game (2.98). Tammel also led the team in kills (394), digs (388), aces and double-doubles (13).

Southern Connecticut finished 2008 with a 24-15 overall mark and 7-7 conference mark. The 24 wins were the most in a season for the team in 25 years, while the seven wins were also a high for the Owls since joining the league.

The return of 11 student-athletes, headed by Tammel, only heightened expectations for Southern Connecticut this year.

Despite being picked 11th by the coaches in the league’s preseason poll, the Owls stormed out of the gate with 13 straight wins – highlighted by a five-set thriller over Bentley, a perennial NCAA Tournament squad and the preseason favorite to win the league.

Southern Connecticut is currently 15-3 overall and 4-3 in league play. Tammel has continued her outstanding play, as evidenced by the fact that she once again leads the Northeast-10 in service aces.

Tammel’s excellence stretches off the volleyball court as well. She maintains a grade point average closing in on 3.95 and was selected as a recipient for the Division II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award last fall. Tammel was also tabbed for the Northeast-10 Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

“She’s a leader not only on the court but in the classroom,” Barbaro said. “She’s been an example for our team in both areas. She’s set the bar high with her work ethic in the classroom and on the court.”

“Jenna is also very upbeat. She is a motivator who works hard and is energetic. She helps to bring up the charisma of our group.”

Tammel has an eye on a potential career in the sports industry after graduation. Over the summer, she interned at Bluestreak Sports Training in Stamford, Conn. In addition, she has also worked in the Athletic Communications office at Southern Connecticut, where she assisted with the development of marketing and promotional efforts for the fall, 2009 season. She also blogs for the department’s official athletics website, www.southernctowls.com.

“My planner is my best friend,” Tammel jokes. “I live my life in half hour intervals.”

It certainly appears that Tammel has the concept of time management down at this point.

However, some of the other items remaining on the Owls calendar are ongoing developments.

“Sometimes I wish that I could have experienced this from day one and seen it grow for four years,” Tammel said. “It feels really good to be a part of something like this. It lets me know that all of the hard work is paying off.”