Ottawa University (KS) Women's Volleyball

Coach Blessington is in her sixth season as head coach of the Ottawa University womens volleyball program. She was named Director of Mens and Womens Volleyball Operations in the winter of 2016. Through four seasons, Blessington has an overall record of 146-52 and a KCAC record of 86-8. She has led the Braves to three KCAC Regular Season Championships, three KCAC Tournament Championships, four NAIA National Tournament Appearances, and three NAIA Final Site Appearances. Blessington has coached seven NAIA All-Americans, 10 AVCA All-Region selections, 33 All-KCAC performers, one KCAC Player of the Year, five KCAC Setters of the Year, one KCAC Libero of the Year, and one KCAC Freshman of the Year. She has also earned three KCAC Coach of the Year honors. Blessington is also currently the Head Beach Volleyball Coach at Ottawa University. She was instrumental at starting the first  collegiate beach program in the state of Kansas.  Blessington was the head mens volleyball coach at Ottawa University from 2016-2018. During her time as Head Coach she coached 10 All Conference performers, including Player of the Year, New Comer of the Year and Libero of the Year. Blessington also coached six NAIA All-Americans and one National Newcomer of the year. In just their second season the Braves were ranked as high as #2 in the country and represented Ottawa at the NAIA National Championships. In her 3rd season the program never dropped below a #7 ranking nationally and once again qualified for nationals.   Blessington comes to Ottawa University from Southwestern Community College (SWCC), where she spent the past three seasons at the helm. She led the team to a 37-10 mark in 2013 while receiving votes in the NJCAA II Poll. Blessington finished her three years at SWCC with an overall record of 72-52. Under her leadership, SWCC finished fifth at the 2013 NJCAA II Tournament and earned Region D Coach of the Year honors. Blessington coached one NJCAA All-American, six All-Region and eight All-Conference players; 10 Academic All-Region players; and had a 90 percent graduation rate. Prior to coaching at SWCC, Blessington was a graduate assistant volleyball coach at Durham University (DU) in Durham City, England. At DU, she helped lead the team to a third place finish at nationals, planned and implemented practices for both varsity and junior varsity, and served as head coach for two months while a head coach search was conducted. While at DU, Blessington coached players from South America, Europe and Asia. Blessington also played for the Northumbria Club Volleyball team during her time in Durham City. She was a middle hitter, helping her team to the Super 8 Division of play. While in England, Blessington received coaching and instruction from the English National Team Coaching staff. Before going to DU, Blessington was the head volleyball coach at Milwaukee Area Technical College in Milwaukee, Wis. from 2006 to 2010. At MATC, she helped lead the team to the most wins in program history in 2009 and led MATC to its first regional appearance. Blessington coached three All-Conference performers and two First Team All-Region players. As a player, Blessington was a First Team All-Conference performer on the volleyball court for Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. She was also a member of the Viking track and field team and was a conference champion in the shot put. Before attending GVU, Blessington spent two seasons at SWCC. She earned Academic All-Region honors in 2001 and 2002 and was a member of the womens basketball team. Blessington earned her associate of arts from Southwestern Community College, her Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Grand View University, a masters diploma in management from Durham University, and a masters degree in health and human performance from Pittsburg State University.