Charlotte, N.C. – In a move that signals a bold new era for Charlotte Volleyball, the university has announced Benavia Jenkins as its 13th head coach in program history. Jenkins, a seasoned leader with a sterling resume, brings with her a legacy of excellence, both as a standout player and as a decorated coach. Director of Athletics Mike Hill shared his excitement over the hire, emphasizing Jenkins’ proven track record and passion for the sport.
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A Visionary Leader with a Winning Pedigree
Jenkins joins the Charlotte 49ers after two impactful seasons as the associate head coach at Michigan. There, she helped guide the Wolverines to an 18-13 overall record, including eight wins in the highly competitive Big Ten conference. Under her guidance, Michigan started the season with an impressive 9-0 run, showcasing Jenkins’ ability to build momentum and extract peak performance from her athletes. Beyond her collegiate coaching duties, Jenkins also contributed to the USA Volleyball National Team Development Program Winter Training Series, further cementing her reputation as a leader in the volleyball community.
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Director of Athletics Mike Hill praised Jenkins’ appointment, stating, “Benavia has a proven track record of success across her stops in NCAA Division I volleyball, including winning a championship as a head coach. Her passion for the game and her commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the court make her the perfect fit for Charlotte Volleyball.”
A Stellar Coaching Career
Jenkins’ most recent head coaching role was at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), where she transformed the program into a conference powerhouse. During her four-year tenure, she led the Buccaneers to a 64-40 overall record, including a remarkable 25-6 debut season that showcased her immediate impact. Her leadership saw ETSU produce standout athletes, including SoCon Freshman of the Year Olivia Cunningham and multiple first- and second-team All-Conference honorees.
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The 2022 season was a crowning achievement for Jenkins at ETSU. She guided the team to a 21-8 record, clinching the program’s first regular-season championship since 2018. This success earned Jenkins the prestigious Southern Conference Coach of the Year award. Her ability to foster individual talent and team cohesion was evident in the accolades her players received, including SoCon Setter of the Year honors for Caroline Dykes.
Over her coaching career, Jenkins has demonstrated a remarkable ability to elevate programs. At ETSU, her players earned an impressive array of honors:
- 4 SoCon preseason selections
- 9 all-tournament selections
- 23 Player of the Week awards
- 5 first-team All-Conference selections
- 8 All-Freshman selections
A Trailblazer at Every Stop
Before her tenure at ETSU, Jenkins served as an assistant coach at South Florida, where she made an immediate impact working with middle blockers and outside hitters. Under her guidance, the Bulls’ 2018 team achieved 20 wins, the program’s highest total in over 15 years, and earned a postseason berth for the first time since 2002. Her coaching acumen helped outside hitter Jac’cara Walker and middle blocker Clara Payne earn All-AAC honors, with Walker tallying an impressive 375 kills and Payne solidifying her legacy as one of USF’s all-time blocking leaders.
Jenkins also had a successful stint at Coastal Carolina, where she helped the Chanticleers achieve the ninth-best hitting percentage in the nation in 2015. Her work with standout players such as Eszter Nagy, who ranked 12th nationally in hitting percentage, underscored her technical expertise and ability to develop elite-level talent.
Her coaching journey began at Santa Fe College, where she immediately turned heads by leading the Saints to a 31-7 record in their inaugural season, co-winning the Mid-Florida Conference title.
A Playing Career for the Ages
As a player, Jenkins was nothing short of extraordinary. A key figure for the Florida Gators from 2000 to 2003, she helped the team capture four consecutive Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championships. Twice named an All-American, Jenkins led the Gators to two Final Four appearances and a national championship match in 2003. Her exceptional collegiate career established her as one of the most dominant middle blockers of her era.
Jenkins’ success extended beyond college as she embarked on a nine-year professional career. Competing internationally, she played for top teams in Spain, Austria, Turkey, and Switzerland, consistently excelling on the global stage. Among her professional highlights were winning the Austria Cup with Vienna, finishing as a Swiss Cup finalist with Koniz, and ranking in the top 10 for blocking and attacking in Spain.
A Bright Future for Charlotte Volleyball
Jenkins’ appointment as head coach signals a new chapter for Charlotte Volleyball, with high expectations for success on and off the court. Speaking about her vision for the program, Jenkins expressed her gratitude and excitement:
“I want to thank Mike Hill and Chancellor Gaber for this incredible opportunity. I cannot wait to begin this journey in developing Charlotte Volleyball into a championship program. I am more motivated than ever to capitalize on the opportunity at hand in leading a winning team for both our student-athletes and this great university. It is a great day to be a Niner!”
With Jenkins at the helm, the Charlotte 49ers are poised for a resurgence, driven by her unparalleled experience, strategic brilliance, and deep commitment to fostering excellence. Fans and players alike can look forward to an exciting future as Jenkins brings her championship pedigree to the Queen City.
