Cherelle Manzanares has been hired as the new head coach of the Emery High School girls’ volleyball program, it was announced by athletic director Jake Atwood.

Manzanares will take over for Karl Jensen, who resigned after two seasons following the 2025 campaign.

“I’m so excited for the opportunity to coach this team,” said Manzanares on KOAL’s Drive Time Sports. “I watched the team play throughout the year, and they have a lot of talent. I’m excited to meet them and see where their potential can take them.”

An assistant at San Rafael Middle School, Manzanares is familiar with volleyball in Emery County. She’s also served as a head coach for various travel teams and played in high school.

An avid teacher of the game, Manzanares is also the sister of former Utah State Eastern and current Southern Utah University head coach Danielle Jensen. Being from a family that loves volleyball, Manzanares believes the fit at Emery High School will be perfect.

“We all have played it, we all definitely love it,” said Manzanares. “We support Danielle and all the teams that she has coached, and it’s been fun being around them. And it’s going to be fun to have that experience now as well.”

Manzanares takes over a team that finished 2025 with a 9-19 record overall, including a 2-6 mark in region play. Entering the state tournament as the No. 15 seed, Emery suffered a straight-set loss to No. 2 Canyon View in the opening round.

The next step for Manzanares will be to fill out her assistant coaching staff and implement a summer schedule. You can listen to Manzanares’ complete interview below: