Local stars leading the way for RCTC volleyball team

Carmen Nerison, a sophomore setter and captain on the Rochester Community and Technical College volleyball team, is leading her final volleyball season for her mother, Jen Nerison, who is the head coach. Jen Nerison has guided the Yellowjackets to two consecutive NJCAA National Tournament appearances in 2024 and 2025. Carmen, a Kenyon-Wanamingo graduate, enjoys the more serious atmosphere at the college level and aims to study speech pathology while continuing her volleyball career at a four-year university.

The Yellowjackets finished 25-9 last season with just two sophomores on the roster. This year, they are more balanced with six second-year players and seven newcomers. Most of the 13 players on the 2026-27 roster are from the Post Bulletin's coverage area and have known each other from high school and club seasons. Coach Jen Nerison's strong ties to the area have also helped the program land local recruits, including three of the team's captains, Carly Matthees, Lily Holtan, and Teagan Barnett.

Sophomore libero Carly Matthees mentioned that the team's strong chemistry is a result of the players knowing each other and having a natural understanding of each other's abilities. The captains, including Carmen Nerison, Matthees, and Holtan, feel that they can lead the team naturally and work well together, all having the same goal of success.

Team bonding activities, both planned and casual, help build camaraderie among the players. The Yellowjackets kicked off their season at the Rockford Opening Weekend Tournament in Illinois on August 21-22 and have a busy schedule of upcoming matches throughout September and October.