GENTRY, AR — Gentry Public Schools has named Hannah Watkins-Hankins as Head Volleyball Coach, adding a proven competitor and highly developed volleyball leader to a program focused on long-term success.
“I’m so excited to join the Gentry community. I’m a Western Arkansas native with over 10 years of playing experience, including four years at the collegiate level, and I bring a deep passion for working with student-athletes and building strong relationships. I believe in creating a positive, confident, encouraging, and competitive environment, and I’m thrilled to enter a new era of Gentry volleyball alongside our players, families, and staff. I can’t wait to get started and grow this program together,” Watkins-Hankins said.
Watkins-Hankins developed in elite programs at every level. She played at Greenwood High School under longtime head coach Jennifer Golden, where the Lady Bulldogs posted a 112–23–2 record, won a conference title and a state championship, and consistently competed at the highest level of 5A play. That championship environment shaped her competitive standards and expectations.
She continued her career at the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith under legendary head coach Jane Sargent, gaining firsthand experience in a nationally respected program built on sustained excellence. A 6-foot-6-inch middle blocker, Watkins-Hankins emerged as one of the Lone Star Conference’s top defensive players. In 2023, she earned D2CCA First Team All–South Central Region honors, was named Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and led the conference with 136 blocks, ranking sixth nationally. She also led UAFS with a .321 attack percentage and averaged 1.21 blocks per set.
Currently serving as Assistant Varsity Coach at Shiloh Christian in Springdale, Watkins-Hankins helped guide the program to a 5A State Semifinal appearance while coaching All-State and AVCA Phenom athletes. She also coaches club volleyball and is the founder of Prep Dig Arkansas, where she has evaluated more than 1,000 athletes statewide. Her coaching background reflects a strong emphasis on development, accountability, and culture.
Watkins-Hankins will officially assume her role at Gentry on July 1 and plans to coordinate with Gentry Athletics as her schedule allows to prepare for the upcoming season. As head coach, she intends to strengthen youth pipelines, establish a volleyball booster club, expand the schedule to include tournament competition, and create a clear development pathway from junior high through varsity.
She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from UAFS and is pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Central Arkansas. She will be teaching at Gentry High School and will be joined on staff by current Assistant Volleyball Coach and Head Softball Coach Shawn Teters. Her husband, Tyler Hankins, is an educator and coach and currently serves as Head Baseball Coach and teacher at Lincoln High School.
With this hire, Gentry Volleyball builds on recent success and is positioned to compete, develop, and grow — guided by championship experience and intentional leadership.