Jennifer Berwanger

Classroom

Jennifer Berwanger received her associates of arts in applied sciences (physical therapists assistant), August 8, 2009, while also pursuing her bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation. She will graduate with her bachelor’s degree in December 2010 and has a cumulative GPA of 3.885. She was named 2008 All-Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete and 2009 All-MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team (the only unanimous choice on the team). She was also a member of the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V Second Team and a two-time MVC State Farm Scholar-Athlete of the Week. She’s been a member of the Missouri Valley Conference Honor Roll four years and a Saluki Scholar three times. She has been on the Dean’s List 11 semesters.

Character

Berwanger will be one of the team’s captains this year.  According to Saluki Head Coach Brenda Winkeler: “She is an outstanding leader.  Many leaders are afraid to stand up for what is right, and Jennifer is not afraid to stand up for the right actions. She leads by example and not just words. She has been instrumental in the development of our younger players. Her dedication is above average. She works hard on being the best she can be in the classroom and on the court.  Jennifer is a very honest person and strives to also make sure others are honest in their dealings with the staff and players.”

Community

During the last four years, Berwanger has participaged in the following community service activities at Southern Illinois University: Trick or Treat for Canned Goods, Santa’s Shoebox, Dreamcatchers, Parrish School Penguin Festival, SIU Athletics Halloween Bash and the MVC Just Read Program.

Competition

Berwanger played in eight matches in her first season (2006) before suffering a knee injury and being granted a red-shirt season. She came back from the injury to be a constant in the Saluki starting line-up the next three seasons and a two-time Missouri Valley Conference First Team selection as a sophomore (2008) and junior (2009). She was allso named to the MVC All-Freshman team as a red-shirt freshman (2007). The outside hitter became the fourth player in school history to garner first-team All-MVC honors twice, after ranking top 10 in the league in kills, digs and points, recording 18 double-doubles last season. As a junior, she played in all 116 sets and started all 30 matches, recording a team-high 3.42 kills and 3.71 digs per set.