NEWPORT, R.I.-- Salve Regina University women's volleyball class of 2015 and 2026 Seahawk Hall of Fame inductee Jennifer Duggan came to Newport and Salve after her father brought home a pamphlet with a picture of the Cliff Walk. Years later, Duggan still holds three of the top five single season kill marks in Seahawk history.
"One day during the college decision process my dad brought home a pamphlet for Salve and once I saw the pictures of the beautiful ocean and campus, I had to at least take a look," remembered Duggan. "I visited and fell in love. Through that I communicated with the volleyball coaches and it further solidified my decision."
She was recruited by Seahawk head coach Lindsay Marshall and continued to play for coach Lauren Parsons when Parsons took over the program Duggan's sophomore year.
"My first year was intimidating, but the team quickly became a little family," said Duggan. "With each graduating year and each incoming year, it kept expanding the family. My fondest memories of Salve include the volleyball team. We now live on opposite sides of the country but still remain close."
The volleyball team's culture of family, which made Duggan feel supported, led her to achieve excellence on the court beyond what she could have anticipated. She graduated as the school's all-time leader in kills (1,237), games played (423) and matches played (124).
She led the Salve Regina volleyball program to its best four-year stretch in school history with an 83-44 (.654) record which included four straight appearances in ECAC postseason (a championship win in 2014) and two Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) finals appearances.
The support system which set Duggan up for such success included not only her teammates, like friend and fellow Seahawk Hall of Fame member Clare Adams '14, but also coaches and families.
"I want to thank my family for everything," said Duggan. "I want to thank my teammates and their families for all their support. The whole team also loved seeing other student-athletes coming to our games. We all supported each other and showed up for everybody's games."
Duggan holds onto the feeling of family that Salve Regina volleyball gave her and hopes alumni and current students can experience the same thing.
"I hope that we can all still get to know each other through alumni events in the future," said Duggan. "With every passing year since I've graduated, I don't necessarily know the team, but I love it when there's alumni events so I get to meet the current team. I hope we can continue to cheer each other on."
After graduating in 2015 Duggan began working for BAE Systems and has remained with the company, working her way up through leadership roles. She attributes her early career success to what she learned as a student-athlete.
"In my beginning years when I didn't have much work experience it definitely came back to volleyball and having experience on a team which helped me," remembered Duggan.
Duggan also noted that current Salve student-athletes should "Give 100% all the time. Putting in the extra work might take away from some of your fun in the summer but it really makes a difference when the season comes around and you're prepared and in the professional world."
Duggan is especially honored to return to campus this fall because now she can cheer on her classmate, Katelyn Beaubrook '15, as the program's recently appointed head coach.
