USF Athletics

Coach Jenkins Inducted Into Florida Gators Hall of Fame

September 18, 2017

TAMPA, Sept. 18, 2017 – USF volleyball assistant coach Benavia Jenkins was honored for her outstanding four-year career at the University of Florida, as she was inducted into the 2017 Hall of Fame class over the weekend.  
 
"Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is an incredible honor," said Jenkins. "I never thought about becoming an All-American or Hall of Fame member, I just believed in working my hardest for my teammates and my coaches. It took a lot of sweat and tears to get me to where I am, but I trusted in my coaches and I allowed them to mold me into what they knew was best for me as an athlete and person."
 
Jenkins piloted the Gators to four-straight Southeastern Conference Championships (2000-03), and was twice selected as an All-American (2002, 03). Of the four NCAA Tournament teams she was a part of, two made trips to the Final Four and her senior year ended with a national championship appearance. In her time playing for head coach Mary Wise, Jenkins set the school record for blocks (601) and was the first Gator to post 1,000 career kills and 600 career blocks.
 
Now in her 27th year at the helm of the program, Coach Wise could not be happier for her former star.
 
"Benavia is one of the best examples of someone developing their game," said Coach Wise. "Benavia had very little volleyball experience prior to coming here, but she was a tremendous athlete and tireless competitor. When we first met her she was shy and reserved, but that person was a shadow of what she became. Her very first practice, she nearly took out our all-american setter with a ferocious attack. She was fearless in everything she did."
 
Jenkins went on to play professional volleyball from 2005-2014. After graduating from Florida in 2004, she competed professionally for teams in Spain (2005-06, 08-10), Austria (06-07), Turkey (07-08), Switzerland (12-14) and Florida (12-14). Her accomplishments include winning the Austria Cup with Vienna (06-07), being a Swiss Cup Finalist for Koniz (2007), and finishing in the top-10 in Spain for blocking and attacking (09-10).
 
"I chose UF because of three main reasons," said Jenkins. "It felt like home, the excellent coaches and my teammates. I know I wasn't their top recruit, but I am appreciative that Mary Wise took a chance on me. I am forever grateful to the school, my teammates and my coaches. I made one of the best decisions of my life choosing to attend the University of Florida and would not be where I am today if it were not for my time there."
 
Jenkins began her coaching career as head coach of Lincoln Park Academy (2010-12). Her college experience began as an assistant coach at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, Fla., where she helped lead the Saints to a 31-7 season in 2014.
 
Prior to joining USF, Jenkins was an assistant at Coastal Carolina in 2015. She guided the Chanticleers to the ninth-best hitting percentage in the county (.287).
 
"She just has the ability to light up a room," said Coach Wise. "She was a great ambassador of the game and it is fitting that she chose coaching. She is a great person that commands the respect of everyone around her. She will certainly be in coaching for a long time because anyone who has the passion she has can have nothing but a bright future."
 
In her first season with the Bulls in 2016, Jenkin's impact was felt immediately. She coached USF to a .235 hitting percentage, fifth best in The American. Her guidance was also helpful in getting middle blockers Joli Holland (.337) and Clara Payne (.321) to finish top 10 in The American in hitting percentage. Under Jenkin's tutelage, Payne also finished the season third in blocks per set (1.06). The Bulls won 19 matches in 2016, the most since 2007.
 
"Our entire program is so proud of Benavia for being inducted into the Hall of Fame at the University of Florida," said USF head coach Courtney Draper. "She was a phenomenal player and the kids that are currently in our program really look up to her. They strive to be like Benavia on a daily basis. She has really made a difference in our program since her arrival."

About USF Volleyball
In addition to 10 newcomers, USF returns a large core of talent for 2017, led by senior setter Alex Mendoza, who surpassed the 2,000 assist total in 2016 and posted a team-high 1,125 helpers. Redshirt-junior middle blocker Clara Payne finished second on the team with 340 points and senior middle blocker Joli Holland finished fourth with 251.5 points. The Bulls are guided by sixth-year head coach Courtney Draper.
 
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