by Phil Lee

LIBERAL, Kan. – Former Lady Saint standout Jelena Cohadarevic has been named head volleyball coach at Seward County Community College, announced Cody Cole, associate vice president of athletics. Cohadarevic, a former All-American at SCCC, returns to her alma mater to coach the Lady Saints beginning immediately with the 2025 spring season. She played at Seward for two seasons, from 2008 and 2009.

“I am grateful for the opportunity,” Cohadarevic said. “It is a dream come true. Seward opened the door for me when I was 19 when I came to the (United States) to play volleyball. Thank you so much.”

Cohadarevic hopes to instill a strong work ethic with the goal of getting to the national tournament.

“I tell my players that we are going to work hard, that’s what I know how to do, she said. “The plan is to make nationals, maybe not in a year or maybe not two, but that is the ultimate goal. I didn’t get a chance to play in the national tournament when I was here, so this is what I want to do for the team.”

Often referred to as “arguably the greatest Seward volleyball player in the program’s history,” she is the all-time leader in kills with 1,380 and is sixth in digs with 1,004. She is only Lady Saint to record both – 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs.

Cole believes Cohadarevic will bring renewed energy and leader to the program.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jelena as she returns to lead the Lady Saints volleyball program back to prominence,” Cole said. “Her passion for the game and her commitment to developing student-athletes make her the perfect fit for our program.”

Cohadarevic earned NJCAA All-American honors in 2008, along with Jayhawk West Conference Most Valuable Player, NJCAA Region VI Most Valuable Player, Jayhawk West first team All-Conference, first team All-NJCAA Region VI, and two-time NJCAA Region VI Player of the Week.

She graduated from Seward with an associate degree in business management in 2009 before graduating from Florida Gulf Coast University with a bachelor’s degree in business in 2011.

An international recruit for the Lady Saints, Cohadarevic (née Simic) came to Southwest Kansas from her hometown of Lazavarec, Serbia in 2008. While she dazzled Saints fans with record-breaking performances on the court, the national situation at home turned dark. The region experienced unrest after the region of Kosovo declared independence.

Athletic records were not the only life-changing achievements during that time: Jelena met future husband and fellow Saints athlete, basketball standout Darko Cohadarevic. He, too, hailed from Serbia.

The couple went on to travel the world as Darko played professional basketball leagues on several continents. But they eventually made their way back to Southwest Kansas as a place to raise their children. While Darko established his furniture and carpentry business, Darkwood, Jelena earned her master’s degree in education from Fort Hays State in 2022. She coached at Liberal High School last season.

SCCC is tightly interwoven with the community, and considers local hires a win, said college president Brad Bennett.

“It’s such a neat story that these two outstanding athletes have chosen Liberal, Kansas as their home,” he said. “We are excited to see the positive impact Jelena will have in Saints athletics and campus.”