SMSU Athletics

Jenai (Hutchinson) Wright (volleyball, 1989-92 / basketball, 1989-93) was a two-sport standout in volleyball and basketball.  Hutchinson played four seasons for the SMSU volleyball team and still ranks high in the program’s all-time record book.  

A native of Oakdale, Minn., and two-time team captain, Hutchinson played in 168 career matches and currently ranks first in school history in solo blocks (182), second in service aces (212), total blocks (560) and matches played (168), while ranking third all-time in points (1,807) and fourth in kills (1,224).  She ended her career as the school’s all-time leader in kills, attacks and services aces.

As a junior, she was a member of the 1991 team that qualified for the school’s first-ever NAIA National Tournament, while earning first team all-conference, NAIA All-District, AVCA All-Region and honorable mention NAIA All-America accolades.  Hutchinson finished the season with 424 kills, 57 service aces and a team-high 165 blocks.

During her senior season in 1992, Hutchinson recorded a team leading 510 kills with 63 service aces and earned first team all-conference, NAIA All-District, AVCA All-Region and third team NAIA All-America honors.  

Hutchinson played in 102 career games for the SMSU women’s basketball team, which is tied for 25th in school history.  She scored 476 career points with 263 career rebounds, while shooting 43.9 percent (186 of 424) from the field.  

Jenai and husband, Jim, have two children and live in Porter, Minn.