Feb. 16, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. - Jenny Fuente, Illinois State's associate head volleyball coach, stepped down from her post after serving four years on head coach Sharon Dingman's staff. Jenny will move to Fort Worth, Texas, with her husband Justin Fuente, ISU's former offensive coordinator, who accepted an assistant coaches' position at TCU Friday.
Fuente (formerly Jenny Kabbes) starred as a middle blocker for the Redbirds from 1998-2002, and currently ranks as the No. 2 all-time blocker at Illinois State. She is one of just two players in Redbird history with 500 or more career blocks. The Normal, Ill., native was tabbed the 1998 Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year, helping the Redbirds earn their 11th NCAA Tournament bid in the same season. She also collected first-team all-Valley honors in both the 1999 and 2001 campaigns despite having to overcome two mid-career shoulder surgeries.
Fuente's ISU coaching career began in the 2003 campaign. She was a graduate assistant in her first season, and a full-time assistant beginning in 2004. She was promoted to associate head coach in January, 2006. Fuente worked primarily with the hitters and blockers, and was especially instrumental in the development of the 2005 front row senior tandem of Laura Doornbos (currently ISU's assistant coach) and sister Emily Kabbes, the top two career point leaders in Redbird history.
Fuente recognized the importance of the ISU volleyball program to both her playing and coaching career.
"Leaving Illinois State is one of the toughest professional decisions I have ever had to make," said Fuente. "I have tremendous pride in having been a player and coach in a first-class program. I have had the opportunity to coach outstanding student-athletes who have worked hard, have consistently improved, and achieved countless team and personal goals.
"Sharon Dingman has helped mold my career by giving me confidence that I could evolve from being a successful player to a successful coach. She gave me challenging assignments and supported me through them, but allowed me to be responsible for the results I have achieved all at a very young stage in my coaching career."
Dingman recognized Fuente's strong commitment to Redbird volleyball over the past nine years, both as a player and coach.
"To say Jenny has meant a lot to Redbird volleyball would be a huge understatement," said Dingman. "Outside of Julie Morgan and Linda Herman, no one person has been involved with ISU volleyball as long as she has. Beyond what everyone sees in her coaching on the court, she is an incredibly organized recruiter, a thorough teacher and great mentor and role model for our student-athletes. Jenny will be missed by everyone associated with Redbird athletics."
Dingman's search for the program's next assistant coach will begin immediately.
"We are moving forward in our search for an assistant coach," added Dingman. "We are very fortunate to have recently hired Laura Doornbos as an assistant coach, and are excited about finding the person that best compliments our staff."
