OTTAWA, Kan. – Ottawa University Director of Athletics, Janet Eaton-Smith, is pleased to announce the hiring of Emily Jackson as the new head beach volleyball coach. Jackson will also serve as an assistant coach with the OU indoor team.
 
"I believe that Emily is a good fit for our beach volleyball program," said Eaton-Smith. "Being a former player in the program, she understands the vision and expectations for growing the sport. I am confident that Emily will help our players reach their full potential and build upon what the team accomplished in 2023."
 
Jackson earned two letters in indoor and three in beach for the OU women's indoor and beach programs. In indoor, she was a Third Team All-KCAC selection in 2021. Jackson finished her career with 551 digs, 105 assists, and 39 service aces. As a member of the OU beach team, she was a Second Team All-Conference selection in 2022 and helped OU to a fourth (2019) and fifth (2022) place finish at the AVCA Small College Beach National Championships.
 
"I am really excited to come back to Ottawa to coach and would like to thank Coach Blessington and the OU Administration for giving me the opportunity," said Jackson. "I have had some of my best memories playing volleyball at OU. I can't wait to make more and help student-athletes the way that I was."
 
Jackson has been working as an early childhood caregiver and for the past year has been a PRTF in a residential treatment facility with children ages 6 to 18 at Kids TLC. She has worked as an individual child caregiver and has held positions at Kiddi Kollege and Genesis Health Club Daycare.
 
She spent the 2021-22 season as an assistant volleyball coach for Mavs KC. Jackson organized specific skills and activities for 10-year-olds.
 
Jackson is working on her MSAP with an emphasis in forensic psychology from Ottawa University. She graduated with a degree in applied psychology in 2021 and earned her associate of science from Fort Scott Community College in 2018.