FROM PLAYER TO COACH: LADY RAIDER'S JOURNEY COMES FULL CIRCLE

Haley Jenkins began as an assistant coach for Roane State in 2022 before returning to the court as a player in 2023. Now, following her graduation this weekend, she is slated to coach from the sidelines once again.

Jenkins' passion for the sport and for helping others led her to study early childhood education, but her path to Roane State's volleyball program started well before she enrolled.

"I started at K2 Volleyball Club in Louisville, Tennessee, when I was very young," Jenkins said. "That's where I met Steve Dallman, who later became the coach at Roane State and started the volleyball program here."

Originally committed to a Division I school in North Carolina, Jenkins instead came to Roane State as an assistant coach. A former Heritage High School standout, she cited that decision as the moment she fell back in love with the game.

"I got my love back for volleyball," she said. "Coaching, being in the game, being with all the girls—it brought me back."

Jenkins was named Offensive Volleyball Player of the Week by the TCCAA in August 2024 after helping the Lady Raiders achieve their best-ever start to the season.

Pulling from her own experience with leadership and overcoming adversity, Jenkins said she wants her players to know they are valued far beyond their athletic performance.

"They're not just here for the physical aspect," Jenkins said. "Their mental health matters, too."

While a national championship is on the radar, Jenkins said her primary goal for the team is to prioritize mental well-being while enjoying the game.

"Obviously, the end goal is nationals, which would be amazing," she explained. "But I want them to have fun and not lose the love for it in the process. You can't be a good team if you're miserable, so we have to find that balance."

Her coaching style is built not only on experience but also on empathy, mentorship, and a love for the sport. With more than 16 years in volleyball, including time in USA Volleyball circuits, Jenkins said she has seen the game from every angle.

"My background definitely helps," she added. "Loving volleyball is one of the best ways to teach it."

Outside the gym, life is just as dynamic. Jenkins' husband serves in the U.S. Army and is currently stationed in Kansas. She shares her time between coaching in Tennessee and spending her weekends in the Midwest.

Jenkins joins new head coach Mackenzie Shirley for the upcoming season. Additional information on the team can be found online at roanestate.edu/volleyball.