Jensen resigns in Bigfork

Former Whitefish standout had coached volleyball for one year

The Daily Inter Lake

BIGFORK - Kelsey Jensen has resigned her coaching and teaching positions at Bigfork High School.

Jensen led the Bigfork volleyball team to a 5-5 Northwestern A record in 2007, which was good for third place in the final regular-season standings. The Valkyries went 2-2 in the divisional tournament.

She taught high school mathematics.

"We were happy to have her for one year," Bigfork activities director Shannon Smith said.

"The thing we will miss most about Kelsey was her passion for the kids, the sport. Her incredible energy. She threw everything into it. The kids will miss her a lot; so will we at the school."

Smith said Jensen resigned earlier this week. A search will begin immediately.

"Another job opportunity came my way," Jensen said.

"The location is far enough away where I won't be able to coach in Bigfork."

Jensen was a standout volleyball player at Whitefish High School. She graduated from WHS in 2001 and from Montana Tech in 2005.

"That wasn't the plan," Jensen said of leaving after just one season.

"That's how life is sometimes.

"I took a lot of time to think about it. I decided to resign because I felt it was in my best interest to pursue another opportunity at this time."

Jensen said she was "proud" of what the Valkyries accomplished during her brief stay.

"It was hard to let that go," she said. "I want to thank the students and the players that I worked with this year. Also the Bigfork staff and community. It was more than I could have ever asked for."