Volleyball | 1/13/2026 11:06:50 AM

Norfolk,Va. — Greatness is not always defined by numbers on a stat sheet. Sometimes, it is measured by consistency, resilience, leadership, and the ability to rise when it matters most.  For Coppin State volleyball, that definition has a name, TaKenya Stafford. 

From the moment Stafford arrived at Coppin State, she did more than compete; she elevated the standard.  Over the course of her Eagle career, she transformed into one of the most complete and dominant student athletes not only in program history, but in the 55-year history of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. 

That legacy reached its defining moment in 2025. 

With a championship on the line and her collegiate career nearing its final chapter, Stafford delivered once more, helping guide Coppin State to the 2025 MEAC Volleyball Championship. It was a fitting conclusion for a player who consistently rose in the biggest moments, closing her career the same way she began it in 2023 at Coppin State, as a champion. 

Coppin State head coach Tim Walsh, who completed his ninth season with the Eagles this year, praised TaKenya Stafford as one of the most goal-driven players he has ever coached. “TaKenya’s mindset never changed,” Walsh said. “She puts her faith first and follows that with a desire to be the best she can be. She holds herself accountable and wants the big moments. She doesn’t care that she’s 5’9, she wants the challenge. As a coach, that’s all you can ask for.” 

That unwavering mindset translated directly to her dominance on the court. A two-time MEAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player and three-time First Team All-MEAC selection, Stafford became the heartbeat of Coppin State volleyball. A relentless six-rotation competitor, she influenced every facet of the match. Her 2024 season etched her place among the program’s elite.  Starting every match and appearing in every set, Stafford led the Eagles in kills and digs while ranking among the MEAC’s top performers in points, kills, and double doubles. Her 455.5 total points ranked third in Coppin State single-season history, and her ability to deliver night after night made her one of the most feared and respected players in the conference. 

The 2025 season cemented Stafford’s legacy as one of the all-time greats in MEAC history.  Named the 2025 MEAC Player of the Year, she led the Eagles to a dominant 23-12 overall record, including a 13-1 mark in conference play, a MEAC championship, and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Stafford paced the conference with 22 double-doubles and shattered Coppin State single-season records for kills (491) and points (550.0). She added 355 digs (2.63 per set), 44 blocks (0.33 per set), and 35 service aces (0.26 per set), becoming one of just two players in the league ranked among the leaders in both kills and digs. She set career highs in every statistical category during a dominant farewell campaign. 

Despite playing just three seasons in the Navy & Gold, Stafford leaves Coppin State as one of the most accomplished athletes in program history. She ranks second all-time at Coppin State with 1,270 kills and 1,406.0 total points, while also finishing eighth in program history with 972 digs.  After beginning her collegiate career at Eastern Illinois before finding her home at Coppin State, Stafford officially closes her career with 1,346 kills, 1,089 digs, 77 service aces, and 127 total blocks, accumulating 1,492.0 career points across 116 matches. 

Those who watched Stafford compete at PEC Arena will remember far more than the numbers. They will remember her fire, her poise, and the way she elevated the program.  Opponents game-planned around her presence, and Coppin State volleyball rose with her. 

Stafford capped her remarkable collegiate career by earning American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American honors, placing her among the nation’s elite. She has since taken the next step in her volleyball journey, recently signing her first professional contract in Greece to play for AO Markopoulo. 

Today, TaKenya Stafford’s legacy stands firmly among the best to ever wear an Eagle uniform. She didn’t just leave records behind, she changed the program culture, raised the standard, and left two championship banners hanging as proof of her legacy for years to come. 

Some players pass through programs. Others define them.