Dobson and Ford make memories at U.S. Olympic Volleyball tryouts

Bison volleyball players Lauren Ford and Jewell Dobson attended the U.S. Olympic Volleyball tryouts late last month and came home with memories and important lessons. The two juniors were selected to represent Lipscomb at the tryout and said the atmosphere was almost unreal. “It really didn’t hit me; it really didn’t set in with me until I walked in,” middle blocker Jewell Dobson said. The women said the tryouts were fast-paced and constant. Each session was two hours and consisted mostly of drills. “The style of play was just different. It was very intense. We were always running around playing [volleyball], so in a way that was fast paced,” Dobson said. “It seemed surreal to us that we were playing with the best of the best,”outside hitter Ford added. Through those drills, outside hitter Lauren Ford says she learned valuable lessons that she plans on taking into her senior year. “One thing I saw was just a passion from the defenders. They always had this ridiculous energy that you don’t normally see in a lot of defenders,” Ford said. She also explained that she wants to be more vocal with that passion as well. Dobson agreed saying she wants to carry that same passion into the aspects of her play and also highlighted the value of teamwork. “We both have more of this appreciation for our own team; more so than we even did before. The only way a team is great is if everyone’s connecting and working together,” Dobson said. Dobson and Ford also said that the presence of assistant coach Billy Ebel helped them stay comfortable at the...

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,...

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...