Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Crawford completes staff
2/24/2017 11:25:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Zielinsk, Orner bring DI experience to Murfreesboro
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Head Coach Chuck Crawford announced two new additions to his staff, Stephanie Zielinski and Jenna Orner, who both bring Division I playing and coaching experience to Murfreesboro.
"John Wooden used to say that when you hire people, you make sure they are of good moral compass first. That was my first priority when putting together this staff, and Stephanie and Jenna epitomize that philosophy perfectly," Crawford said. "Secondly, they each have the experience as former student-athletes and as coaches to help this program succeed and reach our goals. I'm truly excited for them to join the Blue Raider family."
Zielinski comes to Murfreesboro after serving as an assistant coach at Davidson for the 2016 season, where she help lead the Wildcats to their first Atlantic 10 Conference tournament appearance since joining the league in 2014.
Prior to Davidson, Zielinski spent the 2015 season as a volunteer assistant coach at Wake Forest. With the Demon Deacons, Zielinski, a defensively minded coach, was responsible for developing and executing defensive scouting reports, while also working closely with setters and servers.
"I feel really bless to be a part of this coaching staff, this team and this family," Zielinski said. "I'm excited for the potential here and what we will be doing in the future."
Zielinski was a four-year starter at Rutgers from 2009-12. She finished her career with 4,255 assists and posted 1,342 assists as a senior during the 2012 season, both figures place her second all-time in Rutgers' program history. Zielinski also ended her career with 1,129 digs, fifth all-time at Rutgers, and with a mark of 11.28 assists per set, good for second all-time in Big East history.
In all four of her collegiate seasons, Zielinski led the Scarlet Knights in assists. As a junior, she led the team with 34 service aces and was second on the team in total blocks with 70. That followed a sophomore campaign in which she also led the team in digs with 272.
In January 2013, she was named RU's New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NJAIAW) Woman of the Year. During her career at Rutgers, she was a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC) and was named to the Executive Committee in spring 2012.
Following her career at Rutgers, Zielinski signed with Volley Toggenburg in Wattwil, Switzerland. As the starting setter for the team, she was named the best player of the match in eight matches during the 2013-14 season. While with Volley Toggenburg, Zielinski worked with beginner volleyball players from ages 8-15 on specific skills, organized and executed practices and coached the U-11 team in weekend tournaments. All of her coaching was done while speaking German.
Zielinski also served as a club coach from 2010-12 for Atlantic Valley Volleyball (AVVC), while helping numerous camps in her hometown of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and in New York.
Zielinski graduated in May 2013 with a degree in psychology and a minor in linguistics.
Zielinski's sister, Mackenzie, is currently a setter with the Miami (OH) RedHawks. Her father, Ron, played basketball at Ithica College, and mother, Lisa, played volleyball also at Ithica. Lisa currently serves as the head volleyball coach at St. Thomas Aquinas, where the Raiders just captured their third-straight state championship.
Orner, who served as a graduate assistant coach at VCU for the 2016 season, will also serve as recruiting coordinator for the Blue Raiders.
With the Rams, Orner helped VCU to a 19-14 record and a trip to the Atlantic 10 Conference semifinals. On the court, VCU produced a three-time Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week in Jasmin Sneed, while Julia Adler (second team), Vicky Giommarini (All-Rookie) and Sneed (All-Rookie) were named to All-Atlantic 10 Conference post-season teams.
"I'm very excited to start my career at MTSU with Steph and Chuck and to be at a place that is so welcoming," Orner said. "There are so many opportunities here, and we're excited to kick off the season."
A 2015 graduate of Coastal Carolina, Orner served as a volunteer assistant for the Chanticleers during the 2015 campaign and was later named director of volleyball operations. During the 2015 season, Orner helped the Chants to a 2015 NCAA Tournament appearance.
Orner played libero for three seasons at Coastal Carolina, where she was twice named to the Big South All-Tournament Team. Orner also received two Big South Conference Presidential Honor Roll accolades and was named to the All-Academic team her senior season.
As a senior in 2014, Orner averaged 4.69 digs per set and led the Chanticleers to the Big South Championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Orner recorded a career-high 31 digs in the Big South Championship Match to help Coastal topple Radford. Orner also played one season at Jacksonville, where she was recruited by Chuck Crawford.
Orner is a native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She is the daughter of Rick and Jackie Orner, and has one younger brother, Tanner. Orner's mother was a gymnast at West Chester University.
"John Wooden used to say that when you hire people, you make sure they are of good moral compass first. That was my first priority when putting together this staff, and Stephanie and Jenna epitomize that philosophy perfectly," Crawford said. "Secondly, they each have the experience as former student-athletes and as coaches to help this program succeed and reach our goals. I'm truly excited for them to join the Blue Raider family."
Zielinski comes to Murfreesboro after serving as an assistant coach at Davidson for the 2016 season, where she help lead the Wildcats to their first Atlantic 10 Conference tournament appearance since joining the league in 2014.
Prior to Davidson, Zielinski spent the 2015 season as a volunteer assistant coach at Wake Forest. With the Demon Deacons, Zielinski, a defensively minded coach, was responsible for developing and executing defensive scouting reports, while also working closely with setters and servers.
"I feel really bless to be a part of this coaching staff, this team and this family," Zielinski said. "I'm excited for the potential here and what we will be doing in the future."
Zielinski was a four-year starter at Rutgers from 2009-12. She finished her career with 4,255 assists and posted 1,342 assists as a senior during the 2012 season, both figures place her second all-time in Rutgers' program history. Zielinski also ended her career with 1,129 digs, fifth all-time at Rutgers, and with a mark of 11.28 assists per set, good for second all-time in Big East history.
In all four of her collegiate seasons, Zielinski led the Scarlet Knights in assists. As a junior, she led the team with 34 service aces and was second on the team in total blocks with 70. That followed a sophomore campaign in which she also led the team in digs with 272.
In January 2013, she was named RU's New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NJAIAW) Woman of the Year. During her career at Rutgers, she was a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC) and was named to the Executive Committee in spring 2012.
Following her career at Rutgers, Zielinski signed with Volley Toggenburg in Wattwil, Switzerland. As the starting setter for the team, she was named the best player of the match in eight matches during the 2013-14 season. While with Volley Toggenburg, Zielinski worked with beginner volleyball players from ages 8-15 on specific skills, organized and executed practices and coached the U-11 team in weekend tournaments. All of her coaching was done while speaking German.
Zielinski also served as a club coach from 2010-12 for Atlantic Valley Volleyball (AVVC), while helping numerous camps in her hometown of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and in New York.
Zielinski graduated in May 2013 with a degree in psychology and a minor in linguistics.
Zielinski's sister, Mackenzie, is currently a setter with the Miami (OH) RedHawks. Her father, Ron, played basketball at Ithica College, and mother, Lisa, played volleyball also at Ithica. Lisa currently serves as the head volleyball coach at St. Thomas Aquinas, where the Raiders just captured their third-straight state championship.
Orner, who served as a graduate assistant coach at VCU for the 2016 season, will also serve as recruiting coordinator for the Blue Raiders.
With the Rams, Orner helped VCU to a 19-14 record and a trip to the Atlantic 10 Conference semifinals. On the court, VCU produced a three-time Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week in Jasmin Sneed, while Julia Adler (second team), Vicky Giommarini (All-Rookie) and Sneed (All-Rookie) were named to All-Atlantic 10 Conference post-season teams.
"I'm very excited to start my career at MTSU with Steph and Chuck and to be at a place that is so welcoming," Orner said. "There are so many opportunities here, and we're excited to kick off the season."
A 2015 graduate of Coastal Carolina, Orner served as a volunteer assistant for the Chanticleers during the 2015 campaign and was later named director of volleyball operations. During the 2015 season, Orner helped the Chants to a 2015 NCAA Tournament appearance.
Orner played libero for three seasons at Coastal Carolina, where she was twice named to the Big South All-Tournament Team. Orner also received two Big South Conference Presidential Honor Roll accolades and was named to the All-Academic team her senior season.
As a senior in 2014, Orner averaged 4.69 digs per set and led the Chanticleers to the Big South Championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Orner recorded a career-high 31 digs in the Big South Championship Match to help Coastal topple Radford. Orner also played one season at Jacksonville, where she was recruited by Chuck Crawford.
Orner is a native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. She is the daughter of Rick and Jackie Orner, and has one younger brother, Tanner. Orner's mother was a gymnast at West Chester University.
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