Jenks got its first girls’ volleyball team in 1974, with John Allison coaching the girls from 1974 to 1979. In 1979, Nick Ditolla stepped in to take on the Jenks head girls’ volleyball coach position, while also coaching the Jenks boys’ volleyball team. Nick Ditolla coached both teams until 1986, when boys’ volleyball in Oklahoma was disbanded. Jan Stukey was the head varsity coach during the 1991 and 1992 seasons, while Gidget Pettit coached the team during the 1993 season.

Nick Ditolla

 The girls’ volleyball team won all regionals from 1974 to 2007, except for six years, during that span.  The girls’ team under the leadership of Nick Ditolla won the coveted gold state trophies in 1996 and 1997.

          

Nick Ditolla retired from coaching volleyball in 1998.  Mark Tischler was the next Jenks head coach from 1999 to 2000 and is currently the head volleyball coach at Tulsa Nathan Hale High School. Jani Hagen, an ORU graduate from Brazil, led the girls’ teams for the 2001 and 2002 seasons.  Nick Ditolla came back to coach for the 2003 and 2004 teams.  Beth Erickson took the leadership position in 2005.  With Beth Erickson leading the way, the 2006 team brought back the gold to Jenks by winning the state championship title.  Kody Engle took the reins for the 2008 season.

 

The Jenks Volleyball program has a long and successful history since its start in 1972.  In 1972, Jenks got its first boys volleyball team with Nick Ditolla as its head coach.  The boys’ volleyball team won regionals for 15 years straight from 1972 – 1986.  The 1978 Jenks boys’ volleyball team won its first state championship for the volleyball program.  The state volleyball title was also the first state championship for Jenks in any sport.

 

 

 

The Jenks boys’ volleyball teams, coached by Nick Ditolla, went on to win state in 1981 and 1982.

 

         

 

Jesse Cooper

Jesse Cooper has been a fixture to the Jenks Volleyball program over the years, as well as helping to develop volleyball in the state of Oklahoma since 1958.  Jesse has done a little bit of everything for the program.  Jesse has mostly acted in

an advisory capacity for Jenks volleyball over the years.  Jesse did coach an 8^th grade team for one year.  Jesse played a big role in setting up and running the Jenks home tournaments, as well as teaching the fundamentals to new volleyball coaches.  His contributions have benefited the program over the years.  Jesse has stepped back from volleyball a bit to spend more time with his wife of 51 years, Freda.

 

 

High School All Americans

 

1. Paula Wohanhas

 

2. Paige Erickson, 2006 – Paige is a two-time high school All American, being selected to this highest of high school honor by Prepvolleyball.com and the American Coaches Volleyball Association (AVCA).  She will be playing Division I volleyball for the University of Delaware.

 

Collegiate All Americans

 

1. Paula Wohanhas – Drury College

 

2. David Frette – Ohio State University

 

Retired Jersey Numbers

#2, Bob Poplin – Bob, a 4 year starter, was the captain of the 1978 Jenks boy’s volleyball champions.

 

#2, Susan Beacham – Susan was the first female from Oklahoma to play volleyball for the University of Oklahoma.

 

#10, Jim Kinkaid – Jim was the captain of the back-to-back state championship teams for the 1981 and 1982 boys seasons.

 

#10, Paula Wohanhas – Paula was the first female player to get a volleyball scholarship from Jenks

 

#15, Kate Ditolla – Kate was three times selected to the state tournament 1^st team.  Kate was also the first female player to get a Division I volleyball scholarship from JHS.  While playing volleyball at the University of Mississippi, she was also selected to the 1^st Team Southeast Conference College Team.

 

#21, Courtney Little – Courtney has the most kills of any player during her years at Jenks High School.  She played on the 1996 and 1997 girls’ teams that won back-to-back state championships.  Courtney also received a Division I scholarship to play at the University of Tulsa.