Bio

Jenessa Hicks is in her second season as the head women's volleyball coach at The University of Olivet in 2023. She also serves as the assistant athletic director for enrollment strategies.

Hicks made the transition to the athletic department after serving as the associate director of admissions for the last four years. Prior to joining Olivet’s staff, she worked for the Target Corporation for 10.5 years, serving as a senior team lead for seven years. Through her many roles with Target, Hicks developed extensive sales, customer service and leadership skills. She also spent time as the head junior varsity volleyball coach for three years, one year at Olivet High School and two years at Marshall High School. After Hicks was done with coaching, she helped with high school tryouts and camps.

Hicks graduated from The University of Olivet in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in special education and minors in English and physical education. She was a four-year letter winner and team captain on the women's volleyball team. As the starting setter, Hicks still holds the Olivet all-time set assists record with 2,756 from 2007-10. She also has two of the top seven single-season marks, including the second-most with 1,027 set assists in 2007. Hicks was selected the team's Most Valuable Player three times.