California native Jess Petricevic, a former student-athlete and head coach at UMaine-Fort Kent, is returning to the Pine Tree State as the new women's volleyball coach at Maine Maritime Academy in time for the 2025 season.
Petricevic comes to the Academy after coaching collegiate volleyball at the College of the Siskiyous, Shorter University and UMFK, as well as the high school and club ranks.
"I am thrilled to announce the hiring of Jessany Petricevic as the new head coach of the Mariners volleyball program. With an impressive background in coaching and a passion for the game, Coach Petricevic is set to lead the team into an exciting new era," he stated. "She has a deep understanding of the game and a track record of developing skilled, disciplined and motivated athletes. Her dedication to player development and strong leadership abilities will help our student-athletes reach their full potential both on and off the court."
Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator Tricia Carver added: "We are incredibly excited to welcome Coach Petricevic to our athletics department. Her high standards, exceptional leadership, and dedication to developing young women make her the perfect fit to lead our volleyball program. I truly believe that every young woman should have the opportunity to play for a coach like Coach Petricevic, and I cannot wait to see the impact she will have on our student-athletes and the future of this program."
A Yreka (Calif.) High School product as a three-year starting libero, she played her first two collegiate seasons at Shasta College as a defensive specialist from 2011-13. But Petricevic is no stranger to the state of Maine as she graduated from UMaine-Fort Kent, where she was a starting libero for the Bengals from 2013-15. She graduated from UMFK with a bachelor of arts and science degree.
"I am thrilled to become the new head volleyball coach at Maine Maritime Academy! I know this already well-established program has reached amazing heights in the volleyball community and I cannot wait to be a part of a program I once played and coached against in years past," Petricevic said.
"Maine has always held a special place in my heart. The natural beauty, the close-knit community and the commitment to excellence at Maine Maritime Academy make it my ideal place to not only lead as their volleyball coach but to continue to help our athletes reach their full potential. MMA has already made me feel like family and I cannot wait to head the program."
After graduation, she coached the Bengals' volleyball squad from 2016-17.
Petricevic also has head coaching experience with Tsunami Volleyball Club in Rome, Ga. (2019-20), Unity Christian High School in Rome, Ga. (2018, '20) and Yreka (Calif.) High School (2021-24). She started the
Siskiyous beach volleyball program in 2024.
Petricevic earned her master's degree in management from Shorter University in Rome, Ga., where she was the interim volleyball coach in 2019.
Petricevic, who will begin her MMA duties on May 31, will make the trek East with her husband Stefan, children Kristian, Sebastian and Isaiah, and dog, Finn.
