The Main attraction
Niagara College appears to be the perfect fit in the classroom and on the court for Jenna Main.
The 17-year-old, Grade 12 student at Notre Dame has committed to Niagara for this fall where she is enrolled in the school’s new Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and will also be suiting up for the women’s volleyball team.
Main was approached by Knights volleyball coach Steve Stone about playing for the school while awaiting acceptance for her schooling.
“Since I was a kid I wanted to play post-secondary,” Main said. “It was just determining what the school part of it was. I know when I go to school, I am going to learn for my profession.”
A meeting with Stone and the team sealed the deal for Main.
“That really helped with my decision to go to Niagara College. I know a lot of the girls. They are very sweet and made me feel very welcome there. When I did get an offer to play, I was really excited and I didn’t even hesitate.”
Stone is thrilled everything came together.
“Having an athlete such as Jenna around for four years is rare in the college circuit and so we’re excited to be able to watch her grow as a player and a person over the coming years as she can be a foundational piece of the Knights women’s volleyball culture,” Stone said. “Having Jenna join our program is very exciting for the immediate and the future impact of the program. She plays with passion, excitement and a high compete level. She’s coachable and is willing to take on whatever role is asked of her.”
Main appreciates being able to continue to play the sport she loves.
“I’m excited because I get to play volleyball for the next four year where most kids, after their 18th year, they’re done,” she said. “I’m excited to be able to continue to play and hone my skills but a I’m also very nervous because I don’t want to let the girls down on the team. This is a very competitive team. They’re looking for medals and championships and I really want to help them.”
Main, who has played for the Niagara Rapids for the past five years, is well aware she will have to earn her playing the at the collegiate level.
“I have never been the kind of person to expect court time or expect to be a starter,” she said. “Going into this I’m not being cocky or egotistical. I understand you have to work for court time. I have had years where I have been a starter and years where I’ve watched others be starters and fight my way for that. I’m very prepared to go into this year and the next four years and work my way up the ladder.”
Main feels she will fit in well with the Knights.
“When I had my discussion with him about my signing he told me he sees me as a person that can definitely help the team,” Main said. “I’m more of a utility player, I don’t have a set position. I can play a lot of positions. He sees me helping the team with motivation a lot because having new players on a team that can play multiple positions and take over anywhere, it pushes other players to their best as well. Not only if I am playing well will I get court time, but other girls see me and push themselves more and it helps the team overall.”
Off the court, Main is a top-notch student who averages over 90 per cent in all her classes.
“I’ve put a lot of effort into my grades,” she said. “Ever since elementary school doing well in school has been a trait of mine. I don’t know if there’s something that defines why I should be better at it. Maybe it’s because if you’re not good at one thing, you have to excel at another. Sometimes if I’m having bad days at sports, I know I have my school to rely on.”
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