The UCSD women’s volleyball team graduates two senior co-captains this year who have seen a revolution in UCSD athletics and four very successful years in Triton volleyball.
Setter Jessica Bartter will graduate this quarter with a degree in management science and middle blocker Jennie Wilson will earn a degree in math and economics. In their four years playing for UCSD, the Triton seniors have helped their team amass an impressive 99-25 record.
In 1999, UCSD’s last year at Division III, the Tritons went to the national quarterfinal match before being eliminated. After the transition to Division II in the following season, UCSD qualified for the West Regional and further asserted its rightful place in Division II with a 2001 run all the way to the national semifinal. This past season, the Tritons finished as the 10th-ranked team in the nation.
Bartter has been an integral part of the UCSD program under head coach Duncan McFarland since her freshman season. Splitting time at setter in each of her four seasons, Bartter collected 1,775 assists. She also established herself as an outstanding blocker on the outside and as an inspiring floor leader.
McFarland insists that even her presence alone helped the team. He said he could hardly remember a time when Bartter missed practices or games for any reason — injuries or otherwise.
Wilson has also been durable, appearing in 117 matches over her four-year career. Somewhat undersized for a middle blocker, Wilson made up for her lack of size with tenacity, determination and a competitiveness that McFarland said is one of her most defining qualities. Wilson plays an all-around game that has allowed her to thrive both at the net and in the back row, while compiling 838 kills, 253 blocks and 811 digs in her career.
Beyond the winning, the losing and the statistics, both Bartter and Wilson insist the relationships that have been built throughout the team will be remembered fondly, and that even though they’re graduating, they don’t expect those bonds to be lost.
“”I think I have some long-lasting friendships from my team,”” Bartter said.
Bartter hopes to stay in the San Diego area and get a job in either financial planning or sports management, so she hopes to be around to stay up-to-date on her former teammates. Wilson plans to take a year off from school before getting her master’s and teaching credentials.
After two amazing careers, both Bartter and Wilson have left their marks on the Triton program, but the four years have passed quickly. Given the opportunity to give some advice to the Triton volleyball players of the future, Wilson says they should savor the time they have.
“”[I’d] just remind them that it’s going to go by way faster than they’ll ever imagine,”” she said.
For many UCSD volleyball fans, the careers of these two young ladies have passed far more quickly than they would have liked, but their contributions to the success of the program will be felt for years to come.
