Jennifer Brigham Myshrall attended Coventry High School beginning in 1992 where she was a three-sport athlete playing volleyball, basketball, and softball all four years. She originally liked basketball the most and won many awards, including the Robert E. Lee Outstanding Freshman Athlete Award, Scholar Athlete Award, Most Improved Award and the Most Valuable Player Award. Jennifer was also selected to play in numerous Connecticut High School All Star Games. During the four-years she was in high school, the Coventry Girls’ Basketball team made it to at least the state quarter finals every year. She also played Junior Nationals Basketball. Despite all these basketball accomplishments, volleyball quickly became the sport she had the most passion for.
Jennifer received her first formal volleyball instruction as a freshman at Coventry High School playing for Pete Maneggia. He was an excellent coach and his knowledge and love for the game was quickly passed on. He was also the assistant coach to Deb Adams for the three-years Jennifer played on varsity and continued to encourage her to push harder and become a better volleyball player. For three-years, under the late, great Sandy Hoffman at Bentley Volleyball Camp, Jennifer further added skill, knowledge, and increased her love of the game. By her Junior year in high school, Jennifer was a team leader in blocks and kills and was selected to play with the Eastern Connecticut State University team vs. the #2 National Pro Men’s Volleyball team. As a senior she was selected to the State All Star Team and after graduating high school competed in the Nutmeg State Games the Summer before college.
Pace University awarded Jennifer a volleyball scholarship where she went on to lead the Pace Setters to the best four-year stretch in Pace University volleyball history. Arguably the program’s best defensive player ever, she currently sits atop the record book in every blocking category. In fact, her total block mark of 708 sits 194 above second place. Of that total, 396 were solo blocks, also the most in school history.
Not only stellar on defense, Jennifer posted a .285 career hitting percentage, the third highest ever, while also ranking in the top-four in career kills, digs, and matches played. In addition to the individual numbers, Pace went a remarkable 130-39 in Jennifer’s four-years on the team. The Setters made the NCAA Tournament in all four of the seasons, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in 1996 and 1997, as well as making a run to the Elite Eight in 1998.
As a freshman, Jennifer helped the Blue and Gold to a New York Collegiate Athletic Conference Playoff title, the first championship in a decorated four-year span. The Setters went on to win the NE10 Playoff Championships in 1997 and 1999, as well as winning the NE10 Regular-Season title in 1998. As a sophomore, Jennifer recorded 124 solo blocks, a new program record. The following season, Jennifer was named to the NCAA Northeast Regional All-Tournament First Team, as well as the AVCA All-Region, and All-NE 10 Second Team.
Jennifer saved her best work for last as a senior, being named NE10 Player of the Year, selected as the NE10 Tournament MVP and to the All-Tournament Team, and as Pace University’s Female Athlete of the Year. She broke her own solo season block record with 158, which remains the most in program history. Jennifer also posted a .320 hitting percentage and 582 kills during her senior season. Jennifer was inducted into the Pace University Hall of Fame in 2019.
Since graduating, Jennifer has worked as a Psychiatric Nurse. She has continued to play volleyball on various women’s teams, in leagues and at tournaments. Most recently playing in the Open National Championship in Dallas, Texas in 2023. Jennifer has been a volunteer coach back in her home town of Coventry, Connecticut and has played in many charity volleyball events, the most notable being with Fran Vandermeer in the Cathy D’Apice Memorial for over ten years. In 2021 Jennifer began working as a coach for the Husky Volleyball Club in Windsor, Connecticut where she has shared her knowledge, experience and love of the game with many new young volleyball players.
