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Coaching Honors
2 All-CCAC Selections
3 All-CCAC Academic Selections
1 NAIA Scholar-Athlete
1 NCCAA Scholar-Athlete
Making some exciting moves for the Judson University volleyball program, Jill Pearce enters her second season as the head coach. She brings back 15 players from the 2009 season and adds several recruits that will help Judson into the top tier of the CCAC.
In her first season at Judson, she went 8-26 and improved the team wins total by one from the 2008 season. The eight wins do not show the progress the team made as Judson pushed several teams in the CCAC and played seven matches that went five games going 3-4 in those matches. They also gave CCAC leading St. Francis their first CCAC loss of the season. She also produced two All-CCAC players in Deb Leganski and Carissa Oelke.
Pearce stepped in to take over the program in January 2009 after Craig Vlietstra stepped down as the coach. She is the 12th head coach for Judson University and brings a new attitude for the 2009 season.
"Jill has done an excellent job as an assistant for the Judson volleyball program and has definitely earned the head coaching position," says Director of Athletics Nancy Binger. "Her enthusiasm and dedication to the program has been evident already. She is a great addition to our staff."
Pearce has many years of coaching as she steps into her first collegiate head coaching position. She came to Judson after being an assistant coach at Crystal Lake South High School in Crystal Lake, Ill. She helped coach the teams to an Illinois Regional Championship in 2003 and 2006 while also winning the Aurora Tournament Championship in 2006.
"I am excited about all of the possibilities the Judson volleyball team has," states Jill Pearce. "We have a great group of returning playersand already have some strong recruits that will make an immediate impact to this program. I want to help take the Judson volleyball program to the next level. I have high expectations for this team and I believe that they can achieve anything they set their mind to!"
Along with high school coaching experience, she has spent several years in club volleyball. She has coached for both the Sky High and Fusion volleyball clubs. She has coached and assisted with teams that have played at the Junior Olympics, Junior Olympics Invitational, AAU National Championships, and the JVDA National Tournament. In 2003, she coached her 15-Black club team to a fourth place finish at the Northern Lights Qualifier Tournament.
Playing collegiately at Beloit College, Pearce was a four-year starter and letter winner. She was a three-time all-Conference selection, four-time academic all-Conference, and was named to the Edgewood College All-Tournament team. She was also voted the captain of her team, rookie of the year, and twice voted the best offensive player. She played high school volleyball at Crystal Lake South where she received the team blocking award. In 1995, her team finished second at the Illinois State Tournament and in 1996 there were in the Elite Eight.
Pearce, formerly Campioni, was married in July 2008 and resides in Crystal Lake. She received her bachelor's in education from Beloit College and in 2006 earned a master's in teaching and leadership from St. Xavier. She is currently a third grade teacher in Crystal Lake and the sister of Judson volleyball player, Carly Campioni.
Pearce says, "I am thrilled to accept this position. I have loved my experience so far and look forward to working with the team, staff and students at Judson."
