Chadron State College Athletic Hall of Fame
A native of Everett, Wash., Jennifer Luatua transferred from Eastern Oregon University after her coach there, Amy Spruiell, came to CSC. Luatua was the Eagles’ primary libero as a junior and senior. Early in the 2007 season, she set the school record for most digs with 39 in a match vs. Northern State of South Dakota. She finished that season with 581 digs in 101 sets for a 5.75 average and was a second team all-conference choice.
As a senior, Luatua had 483 digs in 86 sets for a 5.62 average, a full dig per set more than any other RMAC player. The coaches noticed her spunky play and voted her the best defender in the conference. Her 1,233 digs in 235 sets for a 5.22 average remains the CSC career record. She was a team captain as a senior.
Coach Spruiell said of her star, “‘Lua’ has a high volleyball IQ and does a great job of controlling our serve receive and defense.” She earned Class 4A all-state honors after leading Everett High to the Washington State Tournament for the first time in 27 years.
Jennifer, her husband, Marques Ellis, and their son live at Bremerton, Wash., where she is employed at a dental center.
