by Danny Kotula | Jul 15, 2021 | News Slider, Sports
The Lipscomb volleyball team is coming off one of their more impressive seasons in recent memory, rattling off 17 wins and reaching the NCAA national tournament in Omaha, Neb. last spring. Head coach Brandon Rosenthal’s side rarely rests on its laurels, however, the upcoming 2021-22 season is no exception. As the new season inches closer every day, what can Bisons volleyball fans expect this winter? One area to watch in particular will be how effectively Lipscomb fills the gaps left by graduating players. The Bisons lose the services of four fearsome seniors from their ASUN title-winning squad, including 2-time All-Conference selection and 2021 All-South Region honoree Megan Kuper. The outside hitter from Olathe, Kan. was undoubtedly the team’s strongest source of offense, averaging over 3.3 kills per set. Her attacking prowess will be missed, especially considering that 2.84 more kills per set are also departing with middle blocker Samantha Rubal. Rubal and Kuper often combined for a lethal 1-2 punch around the net, and their combined experience will not easily be replaced. Rubal, a native of Lewis Center, Ohio, also played in every single set for the Bisons last season. On defense, the losses to graduation are just as significant. Libero Alyssa Zwolensky and defensive specialist Ashley Maher combined for a whopping 6.28 digs per set, often keeping points alive with impressive displays of athleticism. Zwolensky’s 4 digs per set average led the team, as the Rockledge, Fla. native led the back line for the Bisons. All the departures paint a bleak picture for Lipscomb’s upcoming season, but don’t feel discouraged yet. For all the stars leaving, Coach Rosenthal...
by Sophie Kellerman | Dec 24, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
Lipscomb’s Lady Bisons volleyball players know how important it is to have other students supporting their efforts, so they didn’t even hesitate when their coach asked them if they wanted to go to the Lipscomb production of Les Misérables this autumn. Coach Brandon Rosenthal took a vote a couple weeks in advance and asked his team who wanted to plan on attending the show. Every hand in the huddle shot up without hesitation. “As athletes, we don’t always realize the hard work that theatre requires. It is foreign to us,” said junior Megan Stout. “The show was really eye-opening to how much dedication it requires to put on a show like that.” The team took advantage of a rare evening off to attend the show as a team on Nov. 6. “This was my first time seeing a Lipscomb show,” said sophomore Molly Spitznagle. “I was mesmerized the whole time.” The team’s busy fall semester does not allow for much time to attend events like these. They were leaving the next day for a match against ETSU in Johnson City. “We know how important it is to have supporters at our games,” said senior captain Caitlin Dotson. “The fact that we can support our classmates in the same way is awesome.” Casey Edwards, a junior theatre major who played Éponine in the production, knows from experience how important it is for both groups of students to be supported. Her freshman year, she played golf for Lipscomb and was in multiple performances. Golf and acting, however, are both full-time jobs, and she decided to pursue theatre. “We practiced over 20 hours a...
