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MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel Lady Wildcat Volleyball squad is excited to get back on the court to complete their 2020 season which was stopped in the fall due to Covid-19. Bethel was 1-2 before the break in action.
The Lady Cats will transition into the Mid-South Conference, playing a 16 game league schedule. The Lady Cats will play two non-conference matches. Spiced in the schedule features eight home matches.
Bethel was 10-1 at home last season. They finished 22-13 overall and 11-2 in the Southern States Athletic Conference. The Lady Cats return six seniors and four juniors from the 2019 campaign.
Bethel travels to Lyon College on February 11 for a non-conference affair. The Wildcats have won nine in a row over the Scots. They open regular season MSC play at home versus Cumberland University on the 15th. It will be the 25th meeting in the series with Bethel holding a 15-9 advantage. A road trip to the Eastern Mountains of Kentucky follows as Bethel meets the University of the Cumberlands on the 18th and UPike on the 20th. The Lady Cats face Lindsey Wilson in Columbia on the 25th before returning home to battle Life University on the 27th in Crisp Arena.
The Cats hit the road again with conference games at Georgetown (4th), Campbellsville (6th), and Freed-Hardeman (11th). March 13th Bethel returns home to face Martin Methodist and then will play host to Lindsey Wilson on the 18th. It will be the 31st meeting against MMC with Bethel holding a 21-10 advantage in the series. The Lady Cats hit the road to face Life on March 20. The Lyon Scots will visit Crisp Arena on the 22nd. The Cats remain at home in Crisp Arena on the 25th to face old foe Freed-Hardeman. The Wildcats and Lions have met 33 times with FHU holding a 17-16 margin in the series. Two road games close out the month with Bethel visiting Martin Methodist on the 27th and Cumberland University on the 29th.
Bethel closes out the regular season at home versus Thomas More on April 2nd and Shawnee State on April 3.
The MSC Championship gets underway in early April in Bowling Green.
In 2019 Bethel had two players on the SSAC 1st Team All-Conference squad, then sophomores Hannah McGowan and Arielly de Souza. McGowan returns for her junior season in 2020/2021. She averaged 3.84 kills per game.
Newcomer, Linsey Christianson will take over in the libero spot for 2nd team all-conference performer Madison Ralph. Freshman DS Sami Parker will add depth to the defense. Spring transfer Ashley Sommerfeld will add a dynamic attack on the pins. Senior setters Katelyn Van Hooser and Maggie Brooks will manage the offense.
Coach Starla Cupples stated, "The Mid-South Conference will bring new opponents along with some familiar foes. With six seniors, this team has the experience and maturity to compete well this season. After a short fall season, the team is excited to get back on the court and compete."
Coach Cupples is in her 16th season at the helm of the Lady Wildcats. She is 264-226 at the school. Cupples commented, "We are thankful to get the opportunity to play again. This season we will face many talented programs that will challenge us each game. We have 10 juniors and seniors who have the big game experience needed to be successful.”
Precautions, protocols and measures for teams, coaches and support staff
1 - Coach/Player education about how to slow/prevent the spread of COVID-19
2 - Daily screening, pre travel screening
3- Cleaning and sanitizing of materials and facilities used and to be used
4 – Bench maximums
5- Coaching staff and support staff to wear masks at ALL TIMES!!
Precautions, protocols and measures for fans & staff in arena
Each venue at Bethel University is under MSC & NAIA reduced capacity guidelines:
Masks required at all times
Protocols for all other sports will be released soon at www.bethelathletics.com