Rachel Henderson arrived to Bethune-Cookman on May 1, 2024, marking her first season in Daytona Beach under Head Coach Brittany Williams. In addition to her day-to-day duties, Henderson will work with blockers for the Wildcats.
Henderson arrives to Bethune-Cookman from Langston University, where she spent three seasons with the Lions as an assistant coach from 2021-23. While with the Lions, she was nominated for Assistant Coach of the Year. During the 2022 campaign, the Lions started the season 5-1 with wins coming against Philander-Smith and Harris-Stowe, respectively.
“We are excited to have a coach of Rachel’s caliber join our staff,” expressed Brittany Williams, Head Coach for Bethune-Cookman Volleyball. “She was a standout as a student-athlete, and is now climbing the ranks as an assistant coach. As a former middle blocker, she will bring a great presence – not only from a coaching perspective, but as a top-notch former player in that position in training.”
Prior to coaching, Henderson was a standout for two seasons at Tennessee State in 2017 and ’18.
With TSU, the Fort Worth, Texas, native served as team captain in 2017, while starting 30 matches for Big Blue as a junior transfer. She tallied 307 kills across the 2017 season – leading the team in that area, as well as adding a team-high 87 total blocks. She would register a 21-kill performance against Eastern Illinois and seven blocks in a match against USC Upstate. During the 2018 season, Henderson led the Tigers in total, solo and assisted blocks, and ending the year with 319 kills, 18 service aces and 397 points overall. She was a Preseason All-OVC selection in 2017 as well.
In 2018, Henderson ended the season as a First Team All-OVC performer.
Prior to her time in Nashville with Big Blue, the North Crowley High alum served her freshman and sophomore year at Panola College in Carthage, Texas. In 2016, Panola achieved a No. 1 national ranking for three weeks, as the Fillies ended the campaign seventh nationally in the end-of-season NJCAA poll. Other awards under her belt include being tabbed the 2015 Middle Blocker of the Year, as well as second team all-region (Region 12) honors.
In high school with North Crowley, Henderson amassed first team All-TGCA honors as a senior. Additionally, she collected second team all-conference accolades as a freshman.
She has also served as a club volleyball coach with Pelican State Volleyball Club in New Orleans, Louisiana. With Pelican State, the team received a bid to AAU Nationals (2024), as well as winning three tournaments.
Henderson earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Performance Sport Science and Exercise Science from Tennessee State in 2019. She would go on to attain her Master’s Degree in Urban Education from Langston in 2023.
