CPC’s new volleyball coach is up and at it
Jessica Dunbar says the team she’s building is going to turn heads
By Arsenio Humphrey
Knightly News Reporter
Central Penn’s athletics department is preparing to serve up something new soon: women’s volleyball.
Leading the program is Coach Jessica Dunbar, a 24-year-old former collegiate standout whose journey from player to coach is as inspiring as it is determined.
For Dunbar, coaching began almost by accident.
“I first started coaching my younger sister and her club team,” she recalled. “I was helping them get better by playing against them. But it really came full circle when I was a college athlete during the COVID era. That experience was exhausting and mentally draining, and it made me want to be the kind of coach who could make things better for college athletes.”
A native of Littlestown, Dunbar graduated from Littlestown High School in 2019, where she played three years on the varsity volleyball team as a middle hitter. She began her college career at Millersville University, but she transferred to Penn State York in 2020, a move that would define her athletic and personal growth
“At Millersville, I tore my ACL and went through a really dark time,” she said. “But when I got to Penn State York, everything changed. My coaches believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.”
Keeping the faith
That faith paid off. During her three seasons at Penn State York, Dunbar helped transform the program into a powerhouse, leading the team to three consecutive Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) East Division Championships (2021–2023). She was named PSUAC Player of the Year three times and earned two All-American honors from the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA), to which Central Penn belongs.
“I take a lot of pride in those awards,” she said, “but what I’m most proud of is helping build that program into something special. When I started, Penn State York barely won four games a season.”
An architect now
Now, Dunbar is ready to build something special again, this time for Central Penn. The women’s volleyball program is in its early stages, operating as a club team with four players and several recruits in the pipeline. The team’s first official varsity season is slated to begin in late 2026, but Dunbar is already in full recruiting mode.
“I’ve got two accepted players, a few committed and about six or seven more in the recruitment process,” she said. “These girls are ready to work.”
Dunbar’s coaching philosophy centers on communication, trust and mental health.
“I’m a very honest coach,” she explained. “I’ll never sugarcoat anything. My players know I care about them as people first. I’ve been in their shoes—I know what it’s like to deal with injuries, pressure and uncertainty.”
That player-first mindset shapes her team culture as well.
“We’re building a family,” she said. “I want these girls to trust each other and to know that I’ll always have their backs. I hold myself to high standards, and that’s going to rub off on them.”
And Dunbar isn’t shy about her ambitions for the program.
“I plan on making it to nationals by 2027,” she said. “I really believe we can do it. We just need six girls who are willing to be gritty and go all in.”
Reaching out, keeping it close
In the meantime, she’s focused on building community connections through volleyball clinics and youth outreach.
“Volleyball’s a sport anyone can play,” she said. “We’ve already hosted clinics at Harrisburg Area Community College for just $25— way cheaper than most camps. It’s all about giving young girls a chance to fall in love with the game and showing them there’s a place for them here.”
Her long-term vision includes making Central Penn a home for local talent.
“I love recruiting local,” she said. “There’s nothing like seeing your family, your old teammates or your community in the stands. I want players who want to stay home, represent where they’re from and build something together.”
For someone still early in her coaching career, Dunbar brings an uncommon mix of experience, empathy and intensity. She knows what it’s like to turn setbacks into comebacks.
“I’ve been told I’m like a role model to some of these girls,” she said. “That means everything to me. I take this seriously. It’s more than a side job. This is my purpose.”
She added that when the team finally hits the courts, “We’re going to turn heads.”
Comment or story idea? Contact [email protected].
Edited by Knightly News Media Club co-adviser and this blog’s editor, Professor Michael Lear-Olimpi.
