Jenna Dombrowski’s excited to finally return for Ball State

While a lot of players in NCAA soccer have been off the pitch since the end of the 2019 season, Ball State’s Jenna Dombrowski’s absence goes back further as she missed some time during that season due to injury. “Missing most of the 2019 season and not having a fall season in 2020 was really difficult.,” she explained to BGN. “After being injured in 2019, I was really itching to get back out on the field this past fall, but unfortunately that wasn’t possible this year.”

“This upcoming Spring season really means a lot to me, and I’m so excited to finally be back out on the field and playing with my teammates.”

In 2018, Dombrowski scored three goals and added two assists as a freshman. 2019 saw Ball State finish with an impressive 15-5 record, but that fifth loss came in their first match of the MAC Tournament. “Although 2019 was a good year for the team, the season didn’t end the way we wanted,” Dombrowski said. “The 2021 season is our chance to redeem our tough ending to the 2019 season. We’re super excited to get back out there with our returners and our new freshmen and to make this season the best yet by bringing home a MAC championship.”

On the pitch, the junior said she is most comfortable playing outside forward or in the midfield. She added, “I love being able to have fun on the ball and create in the attacking third of the field.”

Jenna is not the only family member with NCAA soccer on their resume. Her older sister, Josie, played for Concordia University Wisconsin. “My older sister was a big inspiration to me in soccer, so it was such a cool experience to share with her while growing up,” Jenna said.

“We made a lot of memories together through soccer, and we were lucky enough to play on our high school team together for one year when she was a senior and I was a freshman. Soccer was definitely a special bond we shared growing up and for most of our lives.”

Outside of soccer, Jenna is equally talented in the classroom, currently carrying a 4.2 GPA. “Growing up, my parents always pushed me to do my best in school and to value my education,” she explained. “As a kid, I really just enjoyed school and learning every day, and that carried into my later years in high school and college.”

She is using that work ethic and love for learning as she majors in journalism. Dombrowski said, “I landed on journalism because I have always had a passion for creating things for other people. Writing, creating and communicating are things that come naturally to me, and I knew that was something I was good at and wanted to do later in life.”

When it comes to her future journalism career, Jenna will be able to rely on something from her academic past. She studied Spanish for four years in high school, stating that she wanted to challenge herself and become educated in a different language. “I ended up taking some tests and received the Seal of Biliteracy for Spanish. It was a great experience and it’s something I’m really grateful I was able to learn,” she said.

But, before she becomes a journalist, Dombrowski will get the chance to get back to being a soccer player again for Ball State. The team’s 2021 season kicks off tomorrow against Toledo at 3 PM ET, live on ESPN 3 or ESPN+.

Carson A Merk

Reporting live from Sin City, I have covered both RGVFC and Las Vegas Lights FC since their inceptions. I also write profiles to highlight players from the NCAA to USL to NWSL and everywhere in between.