The seventh season of junior varsity volleyball at John Brown University begins Saturday, Aug. 29, at the University of the Ozarks (Ark.). Led by head coach Steve Brankle and assistant coach Grace Barfknecht, the Golden Eagles look to build on last season's 16-5 record. This year's team features a four-member senior class that has started together since its freshman season.
"This senior class has been the core of this team since their freshman year. They bring lots of leadership, experience and skill to this team," Brankle said. "I knew when I was recruiting them that I had some very good players. They have been a core part of this team for four years. They have won 80% of their games, and I am excited to coach them for one more season. They are a very special group of young ladies. I have truly enjoyed coaching them. While they are great volleyball players, they are even better young ladies. They have each been very strong students and have made a big impact on JBU."
SENIORS
Alexa Timken, a senior from Whitewater, Kansas (Berean Academy), will take over the libero spot from Kristin Wiseman, who graduated last fall. "This spring, we needed to fill Kris' role as libero. Lexi moved to middle back and has done an amazing job anchoring our defense," Brankle said. Timken ranked second in digs and first in aces in 2025. "Lexi brings such a joy to the game and never gets down. Her teammates feed on her hype and passion. She is a captain again this year and has done a great job leading this team," Brankle said.
Allison Buenzow, a senior from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma (Broken Arrow High School), is the team's other captain and returns as an opposite hitter. Buenzow was fourth in kills and second in blocks for the Golden Eagles last season. "Al has grown so much as a person and player in her four years. Our mission trip to Northern Ireland changed Al and helped her become the servant leader she is for this team," Brankle said. "When we need a big kill or block, Allison will get that for us. The team feeds off Allison's energy."
The third senior is 6-foot-2 middle blocker Leah Mullins from Newton, Kansas (Berean Academy). Mullins led the Golden Eagles in blocks and hitting percentage and was second in kills in 2025. "Leah is a true force as a middle blocker. She has a dominant block and is a very strong hitter. Leah's serve and back-row play have also improved greatly, and those skills will be assets this season," Brankle said. "Leah is a calming presence on the court and consistently makes big plays for us."
The final senior is Tori Kelly from Bentonville, Arkansas (Life Way Christian). Kelly is returning from a knee injury that cut last season short. "Tori had very strong freshman and sophomore campaigns but hurt her knee on our mission trip to Ireland. She is back in the gym and will be eased back into competition," Brankle said. "Tori has had a hard year recovering from her knee injury. She has worked hard to get back, and I'm excited to see her back on the court."
RETURNING PLAYERS
The setting position will be handled by sophomores Rachel Krafft from Fort Smith, Arkansas (Northside High School), and Makenzie Jordan from Newton, Kansas (Berean Academy).
Krafft was second on the team with 230 assists last year and was fifth in digs while splitting setting duties with Kelsey Moore, who graduated. "Rachel is a very good setter who understands our offense very well. She spreads the ball effectively among our hitters," Brankle said. "Rachel had a very strong spring and really stepped up as a leader running our offense. It is not uncommon for us to start the match with a lead due to Rachel's serving and setting. She has a much higher ceiling, and we are continuing to bring that out of her."
Makenzie had limited playing time in 2025, with four setters on the roster, including seniors Jaedyn Everhart and Kelsey Moore. "Mak worked very hard all of last year and really found her footing in the spring. She has grown in confidence and is ready to step in as the second setter in our 6-2 offense," Brankle said. "I have loved watching Makenzie grow. She can be hard on herself as she constantly pushes herself to improve. I have seen her game grow so much and am very proud of how she used last year to get better. I expect a huge jump from her this year."
The outside hitter position returns two experienced juniors in Caroline Arsenault and Saige Day. Both started last year and bring significant match experience to the position.
Arsenault, from Centennial, Colorado (Homeschool), led the team with 163 kills in 2025 while posting a .228 hitting percentage. "Caroline is a very athletic outside who can run many different attack patterns. She is an explosive hitter with a heavy arm," Brankle said. "I believe Caroline's numbers are only going to improve as she has gained more confidence playing at the college level. She holds herself to a high standard, and I know she is always striving to be better."
Day, a native of Inola, Oklahoma (Inola High School), had her season cut short by multiple injuries. She was leading the team in kills midway through the season. "Saige had a tough year last season dealing with various injuries. However, I saw Saige mature and get a lot tougher as she battled these injuries," Brankle said. "This spring and summer, she was healthy, and I saw her game rise to another level. The lessons she learned from being hurt have propelled her game, and I'm excited to watch her this season."
Depth in the middle comes from Lillian Wilkie of Siloam Springs, Arkansas (Siloam Springs High School). Wilkie transitioned from pin hitter to middle blocker and learned from two very successful middle blockers in Mullins and graduate Addy Bruce. "Wilkie changed positions last year and worked hard to transition from pin to middle. She had a great spring and is really embracing the middle blocker position. She gets better every practice," Brankle said. "Wilkie is a very strong player who reminds me of Erin Mullins, whom I coached a few years ago. I expect her attacking and blocking numbers to rise significantly as she gets more comfortable with the position. She had some kills this spring that were very impressive."
Sophomore Havyn Huber from Prairie Grove, Arkansas (Prairie Grove High School), returns on the right side. In a limited role last season, Huber recorded 51 kills while hitting .232. "Havyn took last year to learn how to be a college right side from Allison and graduate Ella McLeod. When Ella was gone for a tri-match, Havyn stepped in to help us earn two wins on the road," Brankle said. "Havyn worked hard this spring to elevate her game. Her attacking and blocking have improved significantly, and she is learning to use her height to be a solid right side."
In the back row, returning junior Lydia Everhart from New Field, New York (Charles O. Dickerson High School), will anchor one of the left-back positions. "Lydia made a huge jump last year in the back row. She was fourth in digs and fifth in aces. However, I expect her numbers to rise significantly this year," Brankle said. "Lydia's serve-receive numbers improved significantly this spring, and her defensive reads have gotten much better. She will also be a force at the serving line with a deceptively aggressive serve. She has cut down her service errors, and I expect the rotation she serves in to be a strength for the team."
FRESHMEN
This year's freshman class comprises four recruits. Recruiting younger sisters of current players has become a theme for the JV program, and that trend continues this season with two more.
Adrienne Mullins from Newton, Kansas (Berean Academy), follows sisters Erin and Leah to Siloam Springs. Mullins can play either pin but is expected to play primarily on the right side this season. "I'm excited to have Adrienne after coaching her two older sisters. She is a very hard worker, and it has been fun to watch her game grow throughout high school. I expect her to be a solid college player," Brankle said. "Adrienne is one of the strongest players I've coached. As she gets used to the college game, I expect great things from her."
The second younger sister is Shylin Timken from Whitewater, Kansas (Berean Academy). Shylin is a defensive specialist who can also set if needed. "I've known Shy through Lexi for four years. She has come to our camps and recruit days, and each time I've seen her game get better. She reads well and is very quick. She's not afraid to go after any ball," Brankle said. "Shylin has a very sweet spirit and is a great teammate. Behind that, however, is a very competitive young lady with the heart of a lion. I am very excited to watch Shy grow over the next four years."
The third recruit is local product Hannah Remington from Canehill, Arkansas (Lincoln High School). Remington is an athletic outside hitter. "I met Hannah and her sister at one of their high school matches last year. Hannah is a great athlete and teammate. What impressed me most was meeting her for the first time after the match. Her confidence immediately stood out," Brankle said. "Hannah is a winner. She loves volleyball and is a very hard worker. She is all about the team, though, and is a great asset on the court."
The final recruit is middle blocker Katie Wittenburg from Little Rock, Arkansas (Homeschool). Katie led the Little Rock Flames and her Purple Cows club team as a dominant middle. "Katie is an athletic middle who has a very high ceiling. I'm excited to watch her game grow as she adapts to the faster pace of the college game," Brankle said. "Katie is very strong and is going to be a very good middle for us. I watched her play this spring at a club tournament. The match was close until Katie took over attacking and serving. The match became a blowout because of Katie's dominance."
SEASON OUTLOOK
The seventh season of JBU JV volleyball has the potential to feature the most matches in program history, depending on the team's performance in its two tournaments. Six home matches are scheduled at Bill George Arena, beginning with a tri-match on Sept. 28 against Henderson State (Ark.) and Rose State (Okla.).
"I expect us to be a very competitive team, and I know we will never quit. This team truly loves each other and will run through a wall for each other. We used our preseason retreat to grow closer by sharing our testimonies. There is nothing this team can't do as a group. I'm very excited for this journey," Brankle said.
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