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Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Jessica Curl, MSU-N Volleyball, Basketball

Full Court: Jessica Curl is the latest to play two major sports at MSU-Northern

Jessica Curl isn’t the first athlete to play both basketball and volleyball at Montana State University-Northern, but she is the latest.

At the NAIA level, that makes her very unique.

Not long ago, Northern’s Cydney Auzenne, originally recruited to play volleyball for the Skylights, joined the MSU-N women’s basketball team and had plenty of success in both sports.

Now, Curl is doing the feat, too, but in the opposite order.

Curl came to Northern from Butte CC in California last year, a 6-3 basketball standout recruited by head coach Chris Mouat. And while she had an impactful first season for the Skylights, there was no denying, Curl longed for something more.

“I’ve always had a really strong passion for volleyball,” Curl said. “I’ve always played both basketball and volleyball. I’ve always loved both sports. So last spring, I went and asked coach Mouat if he would allow me to play on the volleyball team. He said he’d think about it over spring break and when we started school again, he said he was OK with it. I’m really grateful to him for that because, with this being my senior year, I really wanted to do both sports and be able to end my college career with no regrets.”

So Curl joined the Skylight volleyball team and second-year head coach Rose Obunaga last spring. In her first season, and what will be her last season of NAIA volleyball as Curl will graduate this spring with a degree in criminal justice, she’s certainly helping the Skylights and helping them quickly.

Curl is, in fact, just one of two seniors on the Northern roster. After averaging nine points and eight rebounds per game last winter in hoops, she has 72 kills and 35 blocks through her first 12 matches as a middle blocker for the Skylights.

“I’m just really blessed to have this opportunity,” Curl said. “I’m really enjoying this. I really love being a part of this team, and playing for coach Rose. I’m just very fortunate to be in the position I’m in, getting a chance to play both sports I love in college. It’s an amazing experience.”

Curl and the Skylights will make their home debut Friday night when they host Lewis-Clark State. Before the match, the Havre Daily News caught up with Curl for five questions.

HDN: So how did adding volleyball to your sports at Northern come about?

Curl: “I played both at Butte (CC) and I realized I really missed playing volleyball. So last spring, I went and asked coach Mouat if he would allow to play on the volleyball team. He said he’d think about it over spring break and when we started school again, he said he was OK with it. Then, I went to coach Rose (Obunaga) and asked her if I could join the team, and she was great. She signed me, gave me a little extra scholarship money, and I started playing with the team in the spring.”

HDN: You had been away from volleyball for a while, but it doesn’t look like you’ve missed a beat?

Curl: “Fortunately, I was able to play doubles volleyball all summer. I trained with my high school coach, and I played a lot of doubles tournaments and all that helped me really get into volleyball shape. And practicing with the team last spring was a big help. So I came back this summer, and I didn’t feel like it was a hard transition back to volleyball at all.”

HDN: Looking ahead, it’s going to be a long year, playing volleyball from August to November, and basketball from November to March?

Curl: “I’m really blessed to be able to do both. I’m blessed to have this opportunity. And both coach Mouat and coach Rose have been great. They’re both looking out for me, saying they don’t want to overwork me, or to take on too much at one time. So I’m so lucky to have them, and my teammates supporting me this whole year. It’s just a real blessing.”

HDN: You’ve been at Northern and in Havre for a while now. What do you love about being here?

Curl: “I came from a small school, so I love being at a small school I love the atmosphere of it. Getting to know everybody, and now I’m an RA (resident advisor), so I’m meeting even more students on campus. And it’s just this community, it’s an amazing place, and everyone here is so supportive. Everyone really looks out for each other, and to have that kind of help and support, being a student-athlete so far from home, I really appreciate that. Havre is just a really special community, and I love it here.”

HDN: Friday night, you finally play your first home match. There’s a lot of new girls on the team, but playing basketball, you know what the Armory Gymnasium is all about. So I bet you’re excited?

Curl: “I love playing in the Armory. I’ve never experienced anything like it anywhere else I’ve been. The fans are so amazing, and the energy for games is awesome, and as a player, it really lifts you up and motivates you. It’s just so fun and exciting to play at home here, and I’m really excited for Friday night, and I’m so blessed to be a part of this team, this campus and this community.”

 

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