Jadeyn VanDewerken has been named the new head volleyball coach at Grand Island Senior HIgh School for the 2026-27 school year. (Courtesy photo)
GRAND ISLAND – A new face, but familiar to the Grand Island community, will be leading the Islanders Volleyball squad next season.
Grand Island Senior High (GISH) is pleased to announce that Jadeyn VanDerwerken has been named the GISH Head Volleyball Coach for the 2026-27 season.
She will be taking over for Braeden Mlinar, who has resigned to take the head coaching position at Lincoln Southeast.
VanDerwerken brings notable coaching experience in public schools to the Islanders. Most recently, she served as the Assistant Varsity and JV Head Coach of the Lincoln Southeast Volleyball program.
During the 2025-26 season the Knights the JV squad finished 9-4 with a second place finish in the JV Championship Tournament, while the Varsity squad earned 20 wins and a berth to the NSAA State Tournament. VanDerwerken also previously served as the Head Coach for other clubs in central Nebraska.
As an educator, VanDerwerken has served as an English Learner Teacher (EL) for Lincoln Public Schools providing targeted language instruction and classroom support to students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, including newcomers and refugees.
Excited to return to the Grand Island community, VanDerwerken is ready to make a positive impact.
“I’m incredibly excited and honored to take over the volleyball program at Grand Island Senior High. Volleyball has given me so much throughout my life, and I’m passionate about sharing that knowledge and love for the game with the young athletes in this community. My goal is to help our players fall in love with the sport while also learning how to compete at a high level,” she said.
“I want this program to be about more than just wins and losses. It’s about developing strong, confident athletes while also shaping respectful young women who carry themselves the right way on and off the court. Volleyball teaches discipline, teamwork, and resilience—life lessons that go far beyond the gym,” she said.
“More than anything, I want our players and this community to feel proud of Grand Island volleyball. My hope is to create a culture where athletes work hard, support one another, and represent their school and town with pride while building a lasting love for the sport,” she said.
Chris Ladwig, GISH Activities Director, affirmed the move to bring VanDerwerken to lead the Islander volleyball program.
“I am very excited to welcome Coach VanDerwerken and her family back to Grand Island. Coach V is committed to continuing to build our program, along with connecting to our youth. I look forward to working with Coach V and her staff to continue to build on the success of our program,” he said.
As VanDerwerken looks to move into her new role early this summer; the GISH staff will be scheduling opportunities for staff, students, and families to connect with her before the 2026-27 school year.
