Jen Peterson - Women's Volleyball Coach

Photo by: Mark Godin

Jen Peterson

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:
jpeters4@unca.edu
Phone:
251-6928

Former Bulldog standout Jennifer Peterson recently completed her sixth season as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs. Peterson was elevated to the post of Interim Head Coach on December 13.

In 2021, Peterson helped coach setter Grace Volk join the top-10 assist list in program history. Off the court, Volk was not only named the Bulldogs' All-Academic honoree but also was the league's Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the second straight season.

During the 2020-21 academic year, Peyton McClinton had a breakout season leading the Big South with 201 kills on her way to earning All-Big South Second Team honors. Senior Kasey West was a two-time Big South Libero of the Week selection, while Grace Volk joined the 1,000-assist club to go along with being named the Big South's Scholar-Athlete of the Year and CoSIDA Academic All-District selection.

In 2019, Julia Borges earned First-Team All-Big South honors and was the only player in the conference to be named Player of the Week and Defensive Player of the Week that season. Ansley Rooks earned Honorable Mention recognition, and set the program single-match mark with eight service aces against South Carolina State in just three sets. Cecilia Stack was named to the All-Academic Team.

In 2018, the Bulldogs won 10 of their last 11 matches to close out the 2018 season. The 10-match winning streak that was snapped in its Big South Tournament semifinal loss to High Point was its longest winning streak since 2005. UNC Asheville's 16 wins that season were the most for the Bulldogs since winning 17 in the 2013 season. UNC Asheville picked up its second straight top-four finish in Big South play with its fourth-place finish in the league standings. Four Bulldogs picked up accolades from the Big South Conference with Cara Guthrie named first-team all-league and Julia Borges chosen second-team. Grace Volk was selected to the Big South All-Freshman Team, while Carter Kennedy was tabbed to the All-Academic Team for the second straight year.

During Peterson's first season as an assistant coach with the program in 2017, UNC Asheville picked up its most wins in league play since 2010 with nine. The Bulldogs finished 14th in all of NCAA Division I volleyball with 1.64 service aces per set. UNC Asheville's Cara Guthrie was chosen first-team All-Big South, while Ava Venema was tabbed to the Big South All-Freshman Team.

Jennifer Baker Peterson earned numerous accolades during her UNC Asheville playing career. She was a two-time Big South All-Academic selection (1998 and 1999). Peterson garnered Big South All-Conference and All-Tournament honors in 1999.

Since graduating from UNC Asheville in 2000, she worked for 16 years with the Biltmore Volleyball Academy. She is also a former assistant coach at Mars Hill.

Peterson also has extensive high school head coaching experience at North Buncombe High School, Asheville School and North Henderson High School.

Married to 1996 UNC Asheville graduate Brent Peterson, Jennifer Peterson and her family live in Arden.