USU Eastern athlete spotlight: Dani Jensen

Dani Jensen is a Sophomore at Utah State University Eastern. She graduated from
Carbon High School before coming to USUE. Jensen plays Libero and Defensive Specialist for
the Women’s Volleyball team here at USUE. Jensen wears jersey number five. This is Dani’s
second year playing volleyball here at USUE. While we haven’t had any home matches yet this
season, there were home matches last season. Jensen was asked what her favorite thing about
home matches was. She said, “I love the crowds that we get and the fans. It’s always so loud in
here.”

For those who don’t know, Libero is a highly specialized position in volleyball. Liberos
specialize in defense and are restricted to the back row. Jensen’s other position is a defensive
specialist, often referred to as DS, which is also a defensive role. When asked
about her favorite part of playing these roles, Jensen responded, “I love my position, because I
can get balls for my hitters and my setters. Something about me is I like to be really loud, and
that’s something with my position. So that’s what I really like about that position.”

USUE’s volleyball team is one of the top teams in the nation and has been in the past. When asked about her hopes for the season, Jensen responded, “Last year we were able to be
conference and regional champs. We also made it to nationals. So we are hoping to be able to do
that again.” Like any member of a top team, Jensen shows a lot of drive in her work to make that
goal a reality.

An important part of any top team is the teamwork needed to make that team great. A lot
of that comes from the environment. Jensen was asked what her favorite part of playing for
USUE was. She said, “ I love the culture and the coaches. We make it so much fun. We focus a
lot on the family aspect of things. We are all super close, that’s my favorite part.” When asked
about what makes the teamwork here at USUE so great and natural. Jensen responded, “We have
a really great group of girls who have been recruited here.”

We also talked about Jensen’s favorite types of matches. Jensen likes the matches that go
to the fifth set. Volleyball matches are played best out of five. When asked why she likes
matches to go to the fifth set, Jensen said, “I love that it shows the amount of grit that people
have. You get really tired in the end, and it shows you who works hard and you earn the points
that you get.”

It will be really exciting to see what Jensen is able to do this season. Just from talking to
her, she is very determined and focused on her goals. Jensen really embodies what it means to
work hard and see that effort pay off. It appears that Jensen has a great season ahead of her.