JACKSON, Tenn. - Union University Athletics has announced that Emma Hannaford Carter as the next volleyball head coach. Carter comes to Union after spending two seasons at Davidson-Davie Community College.
Union Director of Athletics, Mark Campbell, said, "We are very excited about Emma being a part of our Athletics Family. We want coaches who understand our mission and desire to be excellent in all they do. Emma is from West Tennessee, she understands the mission, and she has been successful at the college level in volleyball. I believe that she will elevate the volleyball program and live out faithfully a relationship with Jesus."
Carter said, "I am incredibly grateful to the Lord and honored to be named the next volleyball head coach at Union University. I believe the Lord faithfully directs our steps, and I'm thankful for the path He has led me on to arrive here. I'm excited to step into this role, continue building the program, and invest in the lives of student-athletes in a way that honors Him. I am also excited for the opportunity to work under Mark Campbell and be part of the great things happening at Union."
While at Davidson-Davie, Carter led the 2025 team to a 33-7 record, the most wins in program history. Her team claimed the NJCAA Region 10 title and the NJCAA District Southeast-A title. Carter led Davidson-Davie to its first ever NJCAA National Tournament. She was named District Southeast-A Coach of the Year.
In addition to Carter's two years at the junior college level, she coach the Market City Volleyball Club in High Point, N.C. while at Davidson-Davie. Prior to that, was coaches at Karns High School and Club Unite in Knoxville.
Carter played for Johnson University from 2020-22 for Coach Robin Vannoy before graduating a year early in the spring of 2023 with a degree Family Studies and Bible & Theology. She was a 3-year starter as a middle blocker, earning 2-time All-Mideast Region Honors, as well as being named an NAIA Scholar-Athlete. During the 2021 season, she helped lead the Royals to the NCCAA-ll MidEast Regional Championship and a runner-up finish in the national tournament runner-up. It was the highest team finish in Johnson University volleyball history. In 2022, the Royals clinched their first AAC Tournament birth after moving to NAIA.
Carter is from Jackson, Tennessee where she graduated from Trinity Christian Academy in 2020. During her high school career, she played volleyball for Kelly Toomey Elliott and Christa Karns. She was a 4-year player, earning all-conference honors, while leading the team in kills, hitting percentage, blocks, and aces as a senior. She was part of two conference championships, two region titles, and one trip to the TSSAA State Tournament. Carter also played basketball and was a member of the 2020 TSSAA Division ll-A State Championship team.
Carter and her husband, William, now reside in Jackson. She is the daughter of Mike and Becky Hannaford.
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