"Kaul and Hutchinson are the only seniors on the team, compared to the group of five seniors before them. As the team’s two leading athletes, there is a new pressure of leadership on their shoulders, but the pair isn’t afraid of the season ahead and the leadership roles they are stepping into." (Contributor / Trevor Miceli)
Big strides, powerful swings, and a strong group of seniors. That’s what the 2024 season looked like for the Rowan women’s volleyball team. With the loss of a strong group of five seniors, the Profs are left wondering where their team stands with the holes in their roster.
The 2024 team was stacked with a powerful offense and a dominating defense, but one player stood out among the rest: Brooke Adams. The team’s setter wasn’t just a captain for the Profs, but was a one of a kind athlete, who made a lasting impression on and off the court.
Adams rallied 4,185 career assists, becoming the program’s all-time leader. She made appearances in 121 matches and 438 sets. To say Adams’ career was a success is an understatement, and with her departure from Rowan, the team will need players to step up and fill the void. That’s where the 2025 team’s two sole seniors, Jena Kaul and Vanessa Hutchinson, come in.
Kaul and Hutchinson are the only seniors on the team, compared to the group of five seniors before them. As the team’s two leading athletes, there is a new pressure of leadership on their shoulders, but the pair isn’t afraid of the season ahead and the leadership roles they are stepping into.
“Playing for now four years, and alongside with the other senior, [Va]Nessa, I think us together really know how to lead a team… So I think just by our wisdom, just pure love for the game, and really learn how to lead the team together,” said senior outside hitter, Kaul.
As a rising senior, Kaul has made a name for herself over the last three years. The outside hitter has totaled 897 career kills in her 291 set appearances. Throughout her time as a Prof, Kaul has not only received a first and second all-team conference award, she was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Honorable Mention Region four team, and has many more achievements under her belt.
Alongside her to lead the 2025 team is Hutchinson. The libero was selected to the CSC Academic All-District Team, and named All-New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Honorable Mention for both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Hutchinson has been a key member of the Profs’ defense. The senior has rallied up to 1330 digs in the 335 sets she played, making her the team’s leader in digs.
Hutchinson and Kaul have confidence in their leadership skills and the group of athletes around them, but so does head coach Deana Jespersen.
“They are leading with such an example, versus anything else. I feel like their example, their positivity, but their grind and their determination to get things done, they’ve done a really nice job,” Jespersen said. “And they’ve been keeping their cool and tough situations and getting their team to play for them.”
While using their wisdom of the game to add wins to their record is a goal for the senior Profs, the seniors have other goals in mind too.
“I want to leave lasting impacts on my teammates, not just a record,” Hutchinson said. “Obviously, the record is super important, and I’d love to win the NJAC, and so does the rest of our team… I just want to, you know, leave a mark on the girls and have those relationships.”
For comments/questions about this story DM us on Instagram @thewhitatrowan or email [email protected]