Game Changer: Lakers Welcome New Volleyball Coach

I want my players to be the kind of people who are always doing something to take the extra step, not just with volleyball, but with everything in life.

When Lainey Jackson’s volleyball players step onto the court, everyone knows they’re the kind of team that goes the extra mile.

“I want my players to be the kind of people who are always doing something to take the extra step, not just with volleyball, but with everything in life,” said Jackson, the new Lake Land volleyball head coach. “If you’re at the grocery store and see a cart out in a parking spot, push it back.”

After four all-conference seasons at Cumberland High School, Jackson played college volleyball at Lincoln Land Community College.

There, she compiled an impressive résumé that includes Midwest Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and NJCAA All-American honors. Following her time at Lincoln Land, a season-long stint of playing in Mississippi at Blue Mountain College only confirmed that there was nowhere she would rather be than back home in the community she loves.

Jackson continued her volleyball career in central Illinois as a coach for Teutopolis High School and 217 Volleyball Club. Through these roles, she has learned what it means to not just hold a position of authority, but to truly be a coach. For her, that involves empathy, care and a genuine desire to build unique relationships with each and every player.

Now, Jackson seeks to implement this coaching philosophy at Lake Land, helping her players navigate the challenges they face on the court and in all facets of life. She views these experiences as opportunities for her players to gain the wisdom that will guide their actions both throughout the season and long after graduation. The goal is a team that represents everything it means to be a Laker and is defined by a work ethic so palpable it transcends any win or loss.

“We are always going to push the other team, and we will always push ourselves just as much,” she said. “Whether we win or whether we lose, there will be no question that we worked harder than them.”

That assertive presence is the chief priority in Jackson’s approach to the game, more so than any record come season’s end. Her players are more than just talented athletes. They are rising leaders who set the standard everywhere they go, whether it is on the court, in the classroom, or even at the grocery store.

To follow Laker volleyball and all other Lake Land athletics, visit lakelandlakersathletics.com.

ATTEND A HOME GAME TO CHEER ON THE LAKERS!

In addition to volleyball, other Laker athletic teams include men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball, softball, cheerleading and clay target shooting.

Admission to all home games is free to currently enrolled Lake Land College students, $7 for adults and $5 for students in grades K-12 and senior citizens.

Visit lakelandlakersathletics.com to find out when the next home game is happening!