KW junior Jessie Genger joined elite ranks in volleyball, basketball this year
Basketball or volleyball?
Volleyball or basketball?
When it comes to Kentwood High’s Jessie Genger, coaches tend to have different opinions on which is her better sport.
Understandably so.
Genger, a 5-foot-11 junior, has been equally impressive in both the last several years. This past fall and winter, however, the agile and athletic Genger turned a corner, leading to the obvious question: When it comes to college, which will she choose?
“When I think of all the players we’ve had in our program through the years, Jessie has improved the most,” Kentwood basketball coach Keith Hennig said. “I think she might end up being the best basketball player in college of anyone we have.”
Which is a lot to consider with star Lindsey Moore still in the fold and former leader Courtney Vandersloot now at Gonzaga University.
But what about volleyball?
“I’d put her in the top five players I’ve had here,” said sixth-year Kentwood volleyball coach Bil Caillier. “(2006 graduate Liliola Halahuni) is the best setter we’ve had and (2005 graduate (Sarah) Conwell was pretty darn amazing. Those are the top three I can think of … I’d put Jessie in the top three.”
But this past school year, there simply wasn’t anyone better. And because of that, Genger has been chosen from a strong field as the Reporter’s Female Athlete of the Year.
Although Genger still has a year of high school to go, the decision for which many college coaches have been waiting on pins and needles came out last Sunday evening.
“Right now, I am looking into playing volleyball in college,” the 17-year-old Genger said with a slight hint of indecision in her voice. “Right now, I am more deciding on whether I would play basketball in college, too. But I know I want to play volleyball.”
That said – and though she has plenty of time to change directions – it’s hard to say Genger hasn’t made the right call. Especially after her performance at the net this past fall, when she blossomed from a very good player to become the South Puget Sound League North Division’s best.
“She evolved as a player and a leader,” Caillier said.
Genger certainly did.
As a sophomore, she earned second-team All-SPSL North honors as a middle blocker/outside hitter.
Last fall?
Genger brought home league MVP honors on a team that was loaded with stars. She did it with precision, ranking second on the team in aces (64). And, she did it with power, ranking sixth in the league in kills per game (2.9) and second in kill percentage (37.2).
In the process, the lanky right-hander helped lead the Conquerors to a third straight North Division title — including their third straight perfect league record — and a fourth consecutive state berth.
Kentwood also established a new school record in season wins (35) and finished third at the state tournament, the school’s best since 1987.
“I never really thought of myself as the best player in our league or on my team, and never looked at myself like that,” said Genger, who is being recruited by Western Washington University and Gonzaga among others. “But it’s really a great honor. My mom (Barb) cried when I told her.”
Yet, as good as Genger was on the volleyball floor, she was nearly as impressive on the basketball court in the winter. A first-team All-SPSL North selection, Genger averaged 10.5 points and 4.48 rebounds per game, both among the league leaders.
She did so despite being slowed somewhat by an ankle injury suffered before the first game of the season.
“She really showed how tough she was and how badly she wanted to help her teammates,” Hennig said. “She battled through it.”
Bum ankle and all, Genger still delivered 15 and 22 points respectively in victories against Seattle Prep and Federal Way to open the season. The soreness remained throughout, but Genger’s toughness never relented as she helped the Conquerors win their third straight division title and a second consecutive district crown. In the process, Kentwood nabbed a third straight state berth.
“The last couple of years, we’ve had Courtney (Vandersloot) and Lindsey, and those two kind of ran the show,” Hennig said. “This year, without Court, Jessie stepped up and was a go-to player down the stretch.”
Whether it’s on the volleyball floor or the basketball court, Genger certainly will be ready for an encore next year.
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