The Times Athlete of the Week: Serena girls basketball’s Jenna Setchell

Five-hundred-ninety-nine ballots were cast for The Times Athlete of the Week, and after receiving 209 of those votes Serena girls basketball’s Jenna Setchell won a close vote for the honor on a ballot that also included runner-up Marlie Orlandi (Ottawa girls basketball), Owen Sanders (Ottawa boys basketball) and Logan Ruddy (Flanagan-Cornell boys basketball).

Weekly ballots go online Mondays and are accessible via Facebook (The Times Sports) and Twitter (@jtpedelty), with voting going through midday Wednesday.

Setchell’s all-around game – 14 points, three assists and four steals – led the Huskers in their championship game win over Marquette Academy in the Falcon-Irish Thanksgiving Tournament.

Here is regional sports editor J.T. Pedelty’s Q&A with this week’s winner:

Do you have any nicknames?

Setchell: Geena and Jen.

How old were you when you started playing basketball, and what got you into the sport?

Setchell: I started playing basketball when I was in second grade, so 7 years old. Basketball has always been a huge part of my family, so when I was younger my brother always had a hoop that I played at. And my dad was my coach in pee-wee basketball.

The team started the season 5-0, including winning the championship of the Falcon-Irish Thanksgiving Tournament. What’s allowed you to get off to such a strong start?

Setchell: We all knew we had high expectations based on the past few years. It was obvious it was going to be a lot different, but we had to believe and trust in each other to be able to do the things we needed to do and come out with the wins. We knew we might struggle with scoring, but we knew we had to play good defense to win games.

What goals does the team have for this season, and what will it take to reach them?

Setchell: Our goals as a team are to improve each day, be top of conference and go far into the postseason. We are going to have to work hard and listen to our coaches, and each of us is going to have to play to her highest potential.

What’s your favorite subject in school?

Setchell: Math and science.

If you could see any musical artist in concert anywhere in the world tomorrow night, all expenses paid, who would you choose and where would you see them?

Setchell: I would go see Cody Johnson somewhere warm.

What’s the best Christmas present you’ve ever received?

Setchell: A trip to Wisconsin to go to the Dells and snowtubing with my mom, aunt and cousins.

What’s one present you really hope to find under the tree this Christmas?

Setchell: A custom pair of Nike dunks.

You and the team just scored a big victory and are going out to dinner to celebrate. Where are you going, and what are you ordering?

Setchell: Definitely Culver’s or the Wedron Office. I would order chicken strips with cheese curds from Culver’s and pizza at the Office.

Is there something about you that people who only know you through sports might find surprising?

Setchell: I show cattle along with some of my teammates, which makes it a lot of fun.

Do you have any college plans? Do they involve sports?

Setchell: I am not completely sure [where] yet. I plan to go to college and continue my athletic career playing basketball and softball.