After a shortened offseason, volleyball returned to campus. Both the varsity and junior varsity teams had successful 2020 seasons, so expectations are high as both teams progress into the 2021 season.
Led by head coach Ken Carver, the varsity team put together one of its most successful campaigns last spring. Despite losing many players from the 2019 team, in addition to facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, John Brown University finished 11-4 overall, good for their third-highest winning percentage under Carver (.733).
The varsity team kicked off its season by playing a total of eight matches across two tournaments, of which the Golden Eagles won three. JBU then opened SAC play against the USAO Drovers and the Mid-America Christian Evangels, winning the opener against the Drovers on Aug. 31 before losing the following night on Sep. 1 against the Evangels, ending a 15-match winning streak against MACU.
After this, the Golden Eagles returned to Bill George Arena, winning their home opener in a three-set sweep against Southwestern Christian University on Sept. 7 before dropping one the following night against Oklahoma City in four close sets. Wins against Oklahoma Wesleyan and Brescia and a loss to Park in the Park Classic Tournament last weekend brought their overall record to 7-8 and 2-2 in conference play.
“We purposefully played a challenging non-conference schedule,” Carver said, “in order to expose our team to programs who are at least as good as, if not better, than Oklahoma City and the other top teams in our conference.”
Much like last season, the Golden Eagles received a lot of help from their freshmen. In her first year, middle hitter Taylor Golmen currently leads the team in blocks (39). Outside hitter Callie Mullins led the team in kills in her BGA debut against Southwestern Christian (12). Outside hitter Julie Milligan opened the season with three straight double-digit kill performances.
“We had high hopes and expectations with the group that we brought in, and it’s fun to see them rise to the occasion,” Carver said, regarding the freshman class.
Meanwhile, the JV program entered its second season under the leadership of head coach Steve Brankle. After finishing 7-3 last season, Brankle looks to give his players even greater challenges this fall.
“We have scheduled much harder teams this year and, hopefully, this will push our level of play higher,” Brankle said.
Most of last season’s team returns, led by outside hitter Skyler Robbins, setter Haylie McCutchen, middle hitter Julia Dinwiddie and middle hitter Lauren Kelly, all sophomores.
“They are all strong players who will be looked at to provide leadership and presence on the court,” Brankle said. The JV team lost their opener on Monday, Sept. 13 to Seminole State in three sets.
The varsity team will return to Bill George Arena on Friday, Sept. 17 to take on Wayland Baptist. The winner will take the lead in the all-time series between the two teams, as both schools hold 28-28 records against each other. The JV team will face Lyon on Sep. 21 before looking to even the season series against Seminole State on Sep. 22.
Photo courtesy of Karen Penner