Threshers picked sixth in KCAC volleyball poll as Leake praises senior leadership
Threshers picked sixth in KCAC volleyball poll as Leake praises senior leadership
The third-year head coach participated in Wednesday's virtual media day.
The KCAC held its annual volleyball media day for the upcoming season, with Bethel’s Adriana Leake taking part. The third-year head coach provided insight into her squad during the virtual session that was streamed live via Facebook on Wednesday.
“We’re returning almost every part of our team from last year,” Leake said. “We lost one key piece, Mia Loganbill, she was obviously a huge part of our offense. We’re excited to see some freshmen step in and … fill that gap.”
A few of those freshmen mentioned by Leake are Cam Offerle from Spearville, Alayna Vine from Lawton, Okla. and Darla Crow from Denton, Tex. In total, 11 newcomers who graduated high school this past spring will be suiting up — whether it be on varsity or JV.
This roster, however, is otherwise loaded with veterans. The Threshers boast 10 returning starters, which places them on the upper end of experience across the conference. This core led the program to its best season in over a decade in 2022, recording a 22-9 (10-3 in KCAC play) mark.
Included in this group is Kylah Carter, Jordan Boone, and Katey Wilhelm. Carter claimed second-team all-KCAC honors in 2022 after transferring to Bethel the summer before. “She’s been working hard all spring,” Leake said of Carter. “This year, she’s stepping into a leadership role. … She brings so much heart and passion to our team, which is exciting.”
Boone, a junior, was also named all-conference for her contributions a year ago. Fifth-year senior Wilhelm suffered a torn achilles in the spring and was originally shut down for the 2023 campaign, but Leake confirmed that the all-KCAC libero “looks like she’ll be ready to return for conference [action] … which is a miracle.”
Alongside Wilhelm and Carter will be five other seniors back on the court in North Newton, including Lauren McCreary, Tessa Lies, Harlie Hunton, Julie Wilhite, and Kaitlyn Shima. The Threshers welcome back both starting setters with a pair of junior defensive specialists.
The conference’s introduction of Evangel into the fold this academic year adds an extra element of competition. “I’m excited,” Leake said. “The top half of [the KCAC] has been battling it out for years, now another team will be in the mix. We got to see them last year … and I felt like we got better from playing them.”
Bethel was picked sixth in the preseason coaches’ poll.
“Last year, it felt like we had a young team,” Leake said. “We had a lot of sophomores that contributed that are now juniors and our senior class is enormous. … [We feel] like we now have a lot of really experienced players that are so driven and excited to do something great this season.”
Leake’s group will begin play on Aug. 18 in Siloam Springs, Ark. when the Threshers square off with Mid-America Christian at 4 p.m. They’ll open the conference slate on Sep. 19 against Bethany at Thresher Gym.