The Coppin State volleyball team entered the 2024 season with one goal in mind — win. With only one conference loss and a dominant run through the MEAC tournament, the Eagles delivered on that mission, securing their second championship in three years.
The Eagles defeated South Carolina State 3-0, defending champion Delaware State 3-1 and overtook Howard 3-1 in the MEAC tournament at Coppin’s Physical Education Complex.
CSU will make their second ever NCAA tournament appearance Thursday Dec. 4 at Big 12 champion Arizona State.
MEAC Player of the Year TaKenya “T.K.” Stafford, senior middle hitter Ahzhi Coleman, and head coach Tim Walsh were reflective and appreciative of the team’s rise, the value of home-court advantage and the growing culture within the program.
Coleman said the team’s championship mentality never wavered.
“Every practice, every lift, it was just the same — we’re going to win,” she said. “When you have 18 girls who want the same thing and are hungry for the same thing, you have a great outcome.”
Stafford and Coleman credited the Eagles’ challenging nonconference schedule — which included matchups with West Virginia, Bethune-Cookman and North Carolina A&T — for preparing them for league play.
“We want to play against different competition,” Stafford said. “We want our hitters to see bigger blocks, so that way when we get into the MEAC, we know what to do.”
This year’s tournament was hosted at Coppin State, a factor both players and coaches said made a meaningful difference.
“We get to sleep in our own beds before each game,” Coleman said. “It allows us to have a routine instead of waking up earlier in a hotel. Our fans were there, and we had a lot of support.”
Walsh said the home environment benefited everyone.
“Family-wise, energy-wise, support-wise — being at home is where it’s at,” he said. “For players, being in their routines and eating what they normally eat is instrumental.”
Walsh, who took over the program in 2017, has transformed the Eagles from a team without a single winning season into a conference powerhouse.
“As long as I found the right people to believe in me and work hard day in and day out, we’d get to where we needed to be,” he said. “The growth and development of these players is awesome on and off the court.”
Stafford, a transfer from Eastern Illinois, said she was drawn to Coppin State because of its family-oriented environment.
“My coaches here genuinely care about me off the court,” she said. “You want to be in a place where everybody actually likes each other. It’s not just a business transaction.”
For Coleman, who missed the 2023 season due to injury, this year’s title carried added meaning.
“Being able to celebrate as a part of it — it blew my mind,” she said. “Some of my blocks and kills helped us win. It just hits different.”
The Eagles have had a week to rest before discovering they were heading to Tempe and according to Walsh, it was the break they needed before taking on a Power 5 program.
“It’s vital for them to get home and just take time,” he said. “Everything they’ve put in since August came to fruition. Now let’s enjoy it, then get back to work.”
When asked to describe the Eagles’ season in one word, Stafford chose “champions.” Coleman said “blessing.” Walsh expanded the prompt, calling the season one of “exceeding expectations.”
Coppin State now awaits its next challenge — this time on the national stage.
