Lipscomb’s volleyball team adapts a “can’t wait” attitude for upcoming season

The Lady Bisons have spent the last 265 days thinking about how their season ended short of their fourth straight Atlantic Sun Championship. This Lady Bisons team can’t wait for redemption. They are living this season by the team’s new motto, “Can’t Wait.” “After winning three championships in a row, we are in new territory this year with this idea of coming up short. ‘Can’t Wait’ came to me just in the sense of ‘I can’t wait to be with my teammates, can’t wait to practice, can’t wait to do weights, can’t wait to travel,’” said Coach Brandon Rosenthal. Last year was a different year for the Lady Bisons, as the team has claimed a seat in the NCAA tournament for four of the past six years. According to Rosenthal, there is something the team has to regain this season to get back to that level. “We have to get back that swagger. We had a tremendous year last year going 15-3 in conference, and then losing in the semi final. Some of the aura to playing us has diminished,” Rosenthal said. “There was a time we were untouchable. By no means is this a lesser team. I believe they need to find that swagger and believe in themselves.” “As a team we are definitely looking at winning the A-Sun,” said junior Lauren Ford. “Our main goal as a team is to win the Atlantic Sun conference and go farther into the NCAA tournament than we have before, which is past the first round.” Ford was one of three Lady Bisons named to the pre-season All-American team. According to Ford, she...

Lipscomb volleyball adds two to staff

There will be plenty of familiar names on the volleyball court when the season begins on August 8, but two fresh faces will join head coach Brandon Rosenthal on the sideline. Billy Ebel and Ann Armes have been hired as assistant coaches. Rosenthal shared his excitement in having the new staff. “I feel great about having young faces as part of what’s going on,” Rosenthal said. “They have a great opportunity to interact with the girls better than I can.” Rosenthal feels that the younger coaches will play a huge role in their season both on and off the court. Billy Ebel, originally from Kansas City, said he knew of Lipscomb before joining the staff. “Brandon has recruited several girls out of Kansas City, so I’ve known about him and the program,” Ebel said. “It’s a totally different environment here, but I love it. It’s been a smooth transition. “The girls have never seen me train or coach on the court, so I’m excited to bring that energy.” Ebel knows the game very well, having played volleyball for Ball State. Rosenthal praised Ebel’s energy, mindset and ability to recruit. “I’m really excited about his energy and recruiting knowledge,” Rosenthal said. “Such knowledge at a young age is really good. “No doubt he will bring a lot to the table during practices and matches.” Ebel, seven weeks into the new program, says the location change from Kansas City to Nashville hasn’t been too difficult of an adjustment, but the culture that Nashville offers is definitely something he can get used to. “I love the southern hospitality,” Ebel said. “It’s different,...

Lipscomb’s volleyball team reflects on 11-day mission trip to Brazil

In early May, the Lipscomb volleyball team embarked on an 11-day mission trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Head coach Brandon Rosenthal said that the trip was an exciting time for the group. “There was a tremendous amount of excitement,” Rosenthal said. “It was the first mission trip for a lot of the players and for six of them it was their first time out of the country.” Rosenthal’s main goal for the trip was the get to know each of his players better, and the girls wanted the same thing from each other. “We are already a team,” Rosenthal said. “This is a close team, but I urged them to break down the walls and develop an even deeper relationship as a team.” Work at the church, a stop at the legendary Christ the Redeemer statue and a hike up the Sugarloaf Mountians all played huge roles into making this such an unforgettable trip for all who went. However, the deeper connections formed and lives changed throughout their time in Brazil made this a truly invigorating expedition. “I really had no expectations going into it,” teammate Lauren Ford said. “I wanted to grow in my relationships with the team more than anything.” Playing only one game while over there, the girls had ample time to grow both mentally and spiritually. “Experiencing another culture with my teammates while getting to serve the Lord was the best part of being gone,” teammate Jordan Huston said. “It was cool how we were able to get closer as a team while we were helping others,” teammate Jewell Dobson added. As the week...

Campus Notes – June 6

Here are some newsworthy links making their way around campus this week. ATHLETICS Billy Ebel has been hired as the new assistant coach with the volleyball team. Graduate assistant Marcus Evans has been hired as the new sprints and hurdles coach. Women’s basketball coach Greg Brown was invited to attended the WBCA’s Center for Coaching Excellence. ACADEMICS Lipscomb has announced the installation of 14 new graduate programs, including the noted Master of Film and Creative Media. The university has released a list of noteworthy accomplishments of faculty and students over the 2013 spring semester. RECREATION The Student Activity Center is offering free group fitness classes throughout the months of June and July. A personal fitness crash course is also available on select dates this summer. Anyone willing to try out some of the facility’s new equipment for 30 minutes and write a brief report will receive a free water bottle. Have a bit of information that you would like to share with the Lipscomb community? Email us at luminationnetwork@gmail.com. Photo courtesy of...
Green helps Lipscomb volleyball reach No. 2 seed in A-Sun tourney

Green helps Lipscomb volleyball reach No. 2 seed in A-Sun tourney

Every sports team needs a leader to look up to. For the Lipscomb Bisons volleyball team, Kaycee Green is that leader. “I have the role of being a leader on my team especially being the only senior,” Green said. “I have the responsibility of being that person everyone can look at when we are down or that person that has to be the consistent one or need to be that go-to person to get a job done.” Although it sometimes may be difficult, Green said she has embraced the role as the single leader. “It’s hard being the only senior and having to be such a big leader and an example,” Green said, “but I have taken on that responsibility and loved every minute of it. Being the only senior and having to step up being a leader has really helped me grow a lot this year as a player and person.” Stats prove how Green has grown as a player this year. She’s been named A-Sun Player of the Week, named to the All-Atlantic Sun Second Team, ranks first in the A-Sun, and named TSWA Player of the Week, among other awards. The native of Cookeville, Tenn., along with titles, has 393 kills with 272 of those kills taking place in conference games. Head Coach Brandon Rosenthal has been with her the entire way, and Green thanks him for everything he’s done for her, admitting that she thinks she can be tough to coach. “I know I’m not the easiest person to get along with or coach at times,” Green said, “and he has been there for me...