#19
Jena Otec
5′10″1 Year ProCrystal City, MO
Jena Otec

Professional Experience

  • Making professional debut in 2025 with the Grand Rapids Rise in Pro Volleyball Federation.

Year

Team

Country

2025

Grand Rapids Rise

United States

College Experience

  • Competed for five seasons at Purdue University from 2017-21, totaling 1,850 digs (second-most in the school’s history), 246 assists, 163 aces, and 15 kills in 154 matches played (578 sets).
  • Two-time AVCA All-America Honorable Mention (Spring 2021, 2021)
  • First and only Purdue player to be named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (2020) after leading the league with 383 digs.
  • 2020 All-Big Ten First Team, 2021 All-Big Ten Second Team
  • Career-high 33 digs against Michigan on Nov. 19, 2021 — one of 11 Boilermakers to ever surpass 30-plus digs in a single match.
  • Registered 50 aces her junior season in 2019 to become the first Purdue player since 1993 to record 50 or more aces in a single season.

High School / Club Experience

  • Attended St. Pius X High School in Festus, Missouri.
  • AVCA/Under Armour All-America Honorable Mention (2016)
  • PrepVolleyball.com's No. 79 Senior Ace (2016)
  • Four-time First Team All-State (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
  • PrepVolleyball.com's sophomore 79 (2014)
  • PrepVolleyball.com Sophomore of the Year finalist (2014)
  • MaxPreps.com Freshman Volleyball All-American (2013)

Personal Information

  • Assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Western Kentucky women’s volleyball team (2023-24).
  • Assistant coach at Eastern Michigan for the 2022 season.
  • Spent five years with The Academy Boiler Juniors, a Lafayette, Indiana-based organization that offers club teams, camps, clinics, lessons, tournaments, and more for youth volleyball players.
  • Holds a bachelor’s degree in Selling and Sales Management, and a master’s degree in Technology, Leadership, and Innovation from Purdue.
  • Has four siblings, who all played sports collegiately: Alex played basketball at Fontbonne, Kyle played soccer at Columbia, Chad played soccer at Missouri Baptist, and Caly played volleyball at Missouri State.
  • Started playing volleyball as a middle blocker and setter, transitioned to outside hitter at age 14 before becoming a defensive specialist/libero in college.
  • Has a miniature goldendoodle named Moose.
  • Enjoys working out, baking, playing/walking Moose, and spending time with friends and family.