Jackson State University Women's Volleyball

Marcus Hereford was promoted to head coach of the Jackson State volleyball team in the Spring of 2024 after serving six years as the assistant coach for the program. Hereford helped the program to championship seasons in Spring 2021, Fall 2021 and in 2023.   In his first season as head coach, Hereford led the Tigers back to the top of the SWAC, finishing the regular season No. 2 overall. Hereford guided JSU back to the SWAC title match and to a postseason berth in the 2024 NIVC versus Stephen F. Austin. Before coming to Jackson State, Hereford taught at Lamesa Middle School in Lamesa, Texas, from 2014-2017. He also acted as a volunteer assistant varsity volleyball coach in 2014-2015 and head varsity coach at Lamesa High School from 2015-2017. During his tenure as head coach, Hereford led his team to the state playoffs for the first time in four years.   His coaching experience also includes a four-year stint as a head coach for a club volleyball team in Lubbock, Texas.   Hereford is a 2013 graduate of Jackson State University, where he received his degree in Meteorology. As a student, he acted as a student assistant for the volleyball team and was a part of the 2011 and 2012 SWAC Championship teams. Hereford was also named to the 2024-25 ABIS Volleyball Coaches Watchlist. --

Verita White excitedly returns to Jackson State University as the Lady Tigers’ Assistant Volleyball Coach after serving as the team’s Graduate Assistant from 2008-2011. It was during her initial stay at Jackson State that the Lady Tigers won their first Southwestern Athletic Conference championship in volleyball. A native of San Diego, Calif., White received a full-ride scholarship to Jackson State as a six rotation outside hitter/RS (???) and she would go on to become one of the program’s most profound players from 2002-2005, earning selection as the team’s Most Valuable Player and Best Offensive Player from 2003-2005. She also earned Second Team All-SWAC in 2004, Pre-Season All-SWAC from 2003-2005, and was selected to numerous all-tournament teams. White was the first Lady Tiger to enter the 1,000 Kill Club, finishing with 1,364 kills during her illustrious career. In 2022, Jackson State Athletics celebrated 50 Years of Title IX and recognized White as one of its Most Impactful Women's Student-Athletes. For her athletics excellence and program influence, White was inducted to the Jackson State University Sports Hall of Fame in 2023, becoming only the second volleyball player to be inducted.