Coming off the best season in program history with a record for wins (29) and a trip to the NAIA National Championship in Sioux City, Iowa, the William Carey Volleyball team will look to keep that momentum going as they get their 2025 campaign underway. The Lady Crusaders will open up Friday and Saturday in San Antonio, Texas in the Halo Classic hosted by Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU).
"I am looking forward to the upcoming season and the opportunity for continued success," said Head Coach Ronda Shirley. "We have a lot of new faces in all positions but the energy, discipline, and competitiveness at practice has been exciting. Ready to see them take the court in San Antonio this weekend."
On Friday, the Lady Crusaders are set to take on Texas Wesleyan University at 10:00 am and Oklahoma City University at 5:30 pm. The Saturday portion of the schedule has WCU facing off against Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.) at 8:00 am and OLLU at 3:00 pm.
Junior transfer Agnes Hegardt said, "I'm so excited for this season, our team is very dynamic, and I think we can accomplish some great things."
Carey returns Sofia Bettini, who was second on the team last year with 363 kills along with adding 260 digs and 55 blocks.
"I'm super excited to play next to these girls," said Bettini. "We have been showing great energy and communication not only on the court but off it as well. I think that our ability to pick each other up and our competitiveness are the most important characteristics, besides our individual talent of course. As a team, I believe that a big part of our job will be to trust the process, take care of our minds and bodies correctly, and above of all, respect the culture of our team."
Assists leader and SSAC Setter of the Year Katarina Vulic (9.6) is also back along with Kayla Benedic who was second on the team in digs with 312.
"This season is a continued opportunity to keep growing both on and off the court," said Benedic. "This season is about unfinished business. We are here to make a statement and show our conference who William Carey Volleyball is."
Texas Wesleyan is coming off a Sooner Athletic Conference Championship and their eighth consecutive appearance in the NAIA National Tournament. Key returners for the Rams are Emily Lewis who has over 900 career digs, over 130 assists, and leads the team in service aces.
OCU had a 15-15 record last season, including a 14-8 record in the Sooner Athletic Conference and reached the semifinals of the SAC Tournament. Returning for the Stars is Grace Smallwood who finished with 233 kills along with Natalie Adams who finished with 663 assists.
Embry-Riddle is coming off a 15-13 record and returns Emma Barber who was second on the team in kills with 232 and 263 digs along with middle blocker Hannah Clear who finished with 60 blocks.
OLLU wrapped up the 2024 season with a 19-12 overall record and a 15-1 mark in RRAC play on their way to the Red River Athletic Conference regular season and tournament title. Returning for the Saints is outside hitter Mia Francis who finished with 305 kills and setter Lauren Reynard who had 815 assists.
After trips to Butte, Mont. and Omaha, Neb. the Lady Crusaders return to the confines of the Ben Waddle Complex for their home opener on September 2, against Dillard University at 6:00 pm followed by their conference opener on September 5, against Point University.
