The 2025 season marks the sixth season of junior varsity volleyball at John Brown University, with head coach Steve Brankle eager to get back in the gym.
"It's hard to believe we are already starting our sixth season. It seems like it wasn't long ago I was trying to recruit our first class," Brankle said. "This senior class is the class that gave us the depth we needed to be the competitive team we've become. They have won 75 percent of the games they have played."
This sixth iteration represents the deepest roster yet with at least three players at each position. The squad brings significant experience with six seniors and four juniors.
Six seniors will take the court for their final season: Isabella Asbeck, Addy Bruce, Jaedyn Everhart, Ella McLeod, Kelsey Moore and Kristin Wiseman. Each will provide experience and leadership to the team.
"I remember recruiting this class. I wanted depth at setter and that was a priority with this class. However, we also needed more front row and back row players," explained Brankle. "We started their freshman year with five setters, including Jaedyn and Kelsey, which achieved my goal. We also got two dynamic front row players in Addy and Ella. Kristin and Bella joined the back row and have locked down the middle-back position."
The Senior Class: Leadership and Experience
Setters: The Offensive Engine
Jaedyn Everhart, a New Field, N.Y., native, anchors the offense after leading the team in assists in 2024 with 235 while ranking fourth in aces. Beyond her statistical contributions, Everhart's solid leadership has been crucial in practice, in games, and off the court. Her teammates unanimously elected her co-captain of this year's team.
"I honestly didn't know all I was getting when I recruited Jae. She didn't play much as a freshman but never complained — instead she used that time to develop her game," Brankle said. "She has become the leader of the team and is a very coachable young lady. I've seen her grow so much as a godly young woman in her career. She doesn't get rattled — ever.
"Jaedyn has been a true joy to coach and I am so proud of her. I am excited to see her lead this team this fall."
Kelsey Moore from Collinsville, Okla., provides veteran depth at setter. Moore was third on the team in assists in 2024 with 143. Her aggressive serve consistently disrupts opponents, and when not leading to an ace, will keep the opposition out of system. Three years of experience position her to help run a fast-paced, dynamic offense.
"Kelsey was having a great sophomore year until an ankle injury sidelined her. Last season she came on late in the season and I'm looking forward to watching her keep that momentum going this year," Brankle noted. "Kelsey is confident running our offense and will surprise the opposing team with an occasional hard-to-read setter dump."
Front Row Power
From Choctaw, Okla., Addy Bruce brought an impressive high school career that culminated with a spot on the Oklahoma All-Star team. As the team's middle blocker, Bruce dominated multiple statistical categories in 2024: kills (126), hitting percentage (.363), while finishing second in aces (25) and blocks (30).
"Addy's game has developed so much in her first three years. I played her at right side as a freshman," Brankle explained. "However, between her freshman and sophomore year, she went with us to Ireland. In games there, I played her at middle out of necessity and saw that was where she needed to play for us.
"Last year she was solid in every aspect of the game. She is probably the hardest attacker to defend as she uses all parts of the court. Her serve is very consistent and hard to pass. Addy is quick to laugh and keeps things fun on the court."
Opposite hitter Ella McLeod hails from Rogers, Ark., where her versatility has become a team asset. Ella had 83 kills and 21 blocks in 2024. McLeod's athleticism at the pin position makes her capable of leading the team in kills in any match. Her work ethic in practice and games, combined with her willingness to step up when needed, has impressed coaches.
"Ella has been such a joy to coach. I met Ella through her younger sister who I coached in club. She had no intentions of playing college volleyball, but now she is starting her senior year," Brankle reflected. "Ella is more natural at outside but has played right side and even in the middle her freshman year. She is all about the team rather than personal statistics and never complained about playing out of position. That maturity has helped this team be successful."
Defensive Anchors
Two-time team MVP Kristin Wiseman joined JBU after a gap year from Tulsa, Okla., where she helped lead Bishop Kelly to the Oklahoma state championship her senior year. While recruited as a setter, Wiseman has anchored the back row throughout her college career, earning team MVP honors the past two seasons. Despite missing significant time due to illness, she was second on the team in digs last year with 213 and third on the team in aces. Her exceptional quickness and court awareness make any ball playable.
"Kris came to us after a gap year and was initially recruited as a setter. However, I quickly realized that we needed her in the back row," Brankle emphasized. "After Grace moved up to varsity, Kris took over as our libero and has made our back row a true strength. Kris is a leader not with her voice but her ability to make plays.
"You realize how important a player is when they aren't in the game. When Kris got sick at the end of last year, the team saw how important she is to our success. She is a selfless player who anchors our back row."
Defensive specialist Isabella Asbeck brings consistency from Ozark, Ark., splitting middle-back duties with Wiseman. Averaging 1.4 digs per set last year, Asbeck exemplifies the team-first mentality.
"Bella works hard every practice and makes us better. She works hard in the weight room and on the court. Bella never complains and will do anything to make us better," Brankle said. "She is the epitome of a teammate. It has been fun to watch Bella develop her game. When Kris got sick last year, Bella stepped in seamlessly and helped us win our last four games."
Returning Players: Building on Success
Three outside hitters return with complementary skill sets. Two-year starter Tori Kelly built her reputation at LifeWay Christian in Centerton, Ark. Her 2024 campaign included fourth in kills and third in digs — including a game-high 30 against Highland. While recovering from a knee injury suffered during a match in Ireland, Tori should be ready to go at the beginning of the season.
Sophomore Caroline Arsenault returns after a successful freshman campaign, highlighted by the match-deciding kill against Seminole State. Expectations are high for increased production after a strong spring capped with three great performances against competition in Ireland this summer. Fellow sophomore Saige Day also returns after recording 76 kills in her debut season. Her confidence should return to the level it was in high school after a year of college volleyball.
Brankle sees significant potential in this group: "This group of outsides brings back a lot of experience, and each had a strong spring. Tori is a solid player in all aspects of the game and isn't afraid to take the big swing," he observed. "Caroline has a huge upside that was very apparent in Ireland this summer. Saige also has a lot more game in her that is going to come out this fall."
Depth at middle comes from junior Leah Mullins and sophomore Lillian Wilkie. Mullins, from Newton, Kan., is a two-year starter who is a big presence at the net and uses her 6-foot-2 frame very well. Mullins was second on the team in kills and hitting percentage (122/.301) and first in blocks with 46. Wilkie suffered an ankle injury in the first week of practice last fall and had limited playing time. In the spring, she moved to middle and has grown tremendously and will push for playing time.
"Leah and Lillian are very strong, athletic middles. They each bring unique qualities to the position — Leah uses her height to be a dominant front-row force while Lillian has a very heavy arm," Brankle noted. "Our middles led our team in attacking, and I wouldn't be surprised if that isn't true again this year. With our strong passing, we should be able to run our middles on every play. This will allow our middles to continue to be a strong option for us."
The right side returns depth with junior Allison Buenzow.. Buenzow, from Broken Arrow, Okla., is a very athletic, bouncy two-year starter. She was third on the team in both kills and blocks in 2024. She can also set when the offense is out of system. When Allison is on her game, this team is hard to beat.
"Allison can be the most dominant player on the team and brings tons of energy. She loves playing and is a fierce competitor," Brankle said.
The defensive specialist depth comes from junior Alexa Timken and sophomore Lydia Everhart. Alexa has been a two-year starter from Berean Academy. The Whitewater, Kan., native is a hype machine. She led the team in digs last year with 215. Elected co-captain by her peers, Alexa brings leadership through her energy and joy. She never gets down and is the first to pick up her teammates or to celebrate others' play. Lydia came on late last season as she adjusted to the college game. Following her older sister Jaedyn from New Field, N.Y., Lydia will be asked to help anchor the back row and bring her aggressive serve to the line.
"Alexa and Lydia alongside Kristin are a solid back row. These three work very well together. They each had a great spring, and I look forward to their continued growth and solid defense," reflected Brankle. "Lydia has the ability to lead us in aces this year and will be pushed to do that. Our DS position will be a team strength."
Newcomers
Two freshman setters will provide depth running the offense. Rachel Krafft comes to JBU after a very successful high school career in Fort Smith, Ark. She topped the 1,000-career assist mark playing in the highly competitive class 6A. Makenzie Jordan is the fourth player from Berean Academy in Elbing, Kan. She was a three-year starter in high school, and with her 5-foot-10 height, can also play middle.
"Rachel and Makenzie add great depth to our setting crew. Rachel played at a high level in both high school and club and will bring that experience to our team. She has been very well coached, and I look forward to watching her game grow at this level," Brankle said. "Makenzie played at a smaller high school in Kansas. However, the school develops hard-working players that have succeeded at the college level. Makenzie has just scratched the surface of the player she can be, and I'm excited to watch her flourish in college."
Havyn Huber comes to JBU from Prairie Grove, Ark., where she was part of the best three-year run in Prairie Grove history. At six feet, she will be a big block and attack from the opposite position.
"Havyn has tons of upside. I coached her in her 15's club year and I am excited to coach her again. Ella and Allison are going to be great at pushing Havyn to be a very good college right side," Brankle said.
Coaching Staff Addition
Finally, joining the team this fall as graduate assistant is Grace Barfknecht. Grace finished her four-year JBU career — two years on JV and two on varsity — last fall. She worked with the team in the spring, and this will be her first competitive season as graduate assistant. Having coached three years in club — two as a head coach — Barfknecht brings a lot of coaching experience to the team.
"I am so excited to have Grace as our graduate assistant. She brings so much experience to this position that will only benefit the team," Brankle said. "We have coached club together and work very well together. We are stronger with Grace on the bench."
Season Outlook
Year six of the JV program looks to be an exciting year with the wealth of experience returning and adding three strong freshmen. The team will play its most games to date with 21 matches — 17 being on the road. The schedule — which includes the 2024 NJCAA Division III champions Dallas College at Eastfield, top-10 Northeastern Oklahoma State, and NJCAA Division I Seminole State — will be very competitive. Most road matches will be tri-matches, which will test the depth of the team.
"While I would love to play more home games, this schedule will stretch this team. Our depth will be critical to our success as we play many tri-matches. I am excited to watch this team grow," Brankle reflected. "From our pre-season retreat to senior night against Seminole State, I expect this team to get better each day.
"These young ladies love the Lord first and foremost — that is where their hope is. Our team verse is Proverbs 3:5-6: 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight' is what we want to live and be a witness to.
"Regardless of our record, if we keep this as our priority, we will be successful. I love this group of girls and can't wait to see what the season holds."
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