- "I made Virginia Wesleyan my No. 1 choice because as soon as I did my overnight recruit visit I knew that VWC was the choice for me. I loved how friendly all of the students were, and it seemed as if everyone was friends with each other. It felt like I was a Marlin for a day and it was awesome. It also seemed like all of the school's athletes had so much pride in their teams and school, and I love supporting my school so I knew this was the one for me"
- Selected Virginia Wesleyan over East Stroudsburg University and Southern Connecticut State University
Career Highs
Kills: 10 – (vs. Penn St.-Harrisburg – 10/5/13)
Assists: 1 – (7x, most recent, vs. Averett – 11/5/14)
Service Aces: 1 – (5x, most recent, Randolph – 10/1/14)
Digs: 16 – (vs. FDU-Florham – 9/26/14)
Total Blocks: 3 – (at York (Pa.) – 9/26/14)
Sophomore (2014): Saw time in 29 matches as a sophomore… Contributed a kill in 25-of-29 matches… Topped the 10-dig threshold on six different occasions, highlighted by a season-best 16 against FDU-Florham on September 26.
First-Year (2013): Played in 19 matches for the Marlins as a first-year… Posted 10 kills against Penn St.-Harrisburg on October 5… Had four digs against Roanoke College on November 6.
Academic Accomplishments: Presidential Scholarship recipient
Before VWC: Helped guide Cherokee to 22-3 record and No. 10 ranking in New Jersey as a senior… All-South Jersey First Team as a senior and Third Team as a junior… Set Cherokee record for most kills in a single season; averaged 12 kills, five aces per game… Selected as team captain as a senior… 2013 Most Valuable Player… Selected to compete in the 2013 All-Star New Jersey game… 2010 Most Improved Player at Cherokee… Competed for the East Coast Crush club team… Member of Students Moving Against Cancer and Students Actively Concerned… Member of Cherokee People Network and the Cherokee Morning Show Hosts.
Personal: Daughter of Mary Beth and John Quinlan… Mom attended the University of Maryland, dad attended East Stroudsburg University… Has one brother, John, a student at New England College.
Get to Know Jessica
- Enjoys listening to pop, rock, indie and alternative music, and spending vacation time in Ocean City, New Jersey
- Favorites include the book "The Notebook," the movie "21 Jump Street," and the TV series "Tosh.O" and "Full House"
- A fan of hockey's Claude Giroux, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Boston Bruins, baseball's Philadelphia Phillies, and celebrities Miley Cyrus, Daniel Tosh and Jennifer Lawrence
- Self-description in 10 words or less: "easy-going, funny, friendly, sweet, strong, outgoing, goofy, spunky, reliable, athletic"
- My favorite aspect of being an athlete is: "being a part of a team. I love playing on the court beside my best friends. I believe the key to running quick, smooth plays is having a team that blends and gets along. There's no better bond than the one between teammates"
- The part of my game I've improved the most is: "my mental game. I was very unconfident in my skills and talents, which made me a weak player. But, luckily I have gotten better at being confident in myself. Also, I've learned to shake off mistakes and not get down on myself. When you're down, you bring the whole team down"
- My personal athletic goal at VWC is: "to be at peak performance level and to the best I can to help bring the team to playoffs and hopefully championships"
- If I could spend one day with a famous person from any time period it would be: "Ellen DeGeneres, because I admire her. She's such a kind-hearted person and is always using her fame for good by helping those in need. Her show always brightens my day a bit. I also admire how she is hilarious without having to be vulgar or cursing, that's actually more of a challenge. If we spent the day together, we would be cracking jokes all day long then maybe get some lunch at Chic-Fil-A, and finally wrap it up by filming her show. I would be the co-host and everyone would have to fall in love with me. Then boom, I'd be famous"
- People might be surprised to know: "I have a love for music and I am musically inclined. I play the guitar, the ukulele and piano, but I'm pretty shy about who I perform in front of. Not many people get to watch me play and sing!"
- It's the year 2030 and: "I hope to be married had have a family. I would have a job as a graphic designer and live in New Jersey or maybe California. I would be raising my kids to be well-rounded, super awesome people"
- The most important advice I've received is: "keep your eye on the ball and follow through, both in sports and life" -- received this advice from my Dad. At the time I was a softball player. I realized it obviously had to do with batting and improving my game, but it also made me think about how it correlates to life. It has taught me to stick with whatever I'm doing and don't stop until it's completely finished. Then the reward will be great.
