Written by Mary Shepherd '17

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Jensen Cunningham is a new member of the Santa Clara Volleyball team. Coming from San Diego State to play Bronco Volleyball, she shares with Santa Clara Broncos (SCB) her love of the game and excitement for being a part of the Bronco Family.

SCU: What made you decide to transfer to Santa Clara?

JC: At San Diego State I wasn't getting all I wanted out of my college experience. I knew I wanted to transfer and stay in California. When I found Santa Clara it was the school I had been looking for. I would get a higher-level education along with being a part of a premier Division I volleyball team.

JC: The thing that makes me most excited about being a Bronco is the girls on the team I get to share the opportunity with. They are all so fun and driven, which makes things better on and off the court.

JC: The best thing about volleyball is how it makes me feel. Being in college is stressful enough and some people do not understand why we put the added stress and hours on ourselves by playing a sport.  But in reality, volleyball is rewarding in so many aspects of my life. It relieves the added stress, it pushes me to be my best for the betterment of the team, and it builds skills, which qualify us for future aspirations like getting a job.

SCU: Do you have any pregame rituals?

JC: I no longer have any pre game rituals, but in high school, (my high school teammate) Nikki Hess and I would go get sushi before every home match. 

JC: Outside of volleyball, I thoroughly enjoy watching every scary movie on this planet good or bad. I'm also an avid baker.  I never eat the goodies I make because of my healthy eating habits so all my family and friends take care of that for me.

JC: My goals are to get stronger, increase my vertical, and learn all the new techniques that Coach Mansfield and Coach Wallace teach here.