Believe it or not, as the calendar prepares to turn from July to August, several fall sports are already gearing up for the fall season.

Volleyball being one of the few, Lincoln officially got back onto the court last week, as the Bulldogs began in preparation for another state tournament run this fall.

The Bulldogs finished 24-14 and made the state quarterfinals last season, falling to Victory Christian.

Head coach Deidra Rader enters her 10th season at the helm of the program, as the head coach has complied a record of 230-107 and taken the Bulldogs to state in each of her nine seasons.

Rader has built Lincoln into one of the premier programs in the state, by investing in her players on and off the court.

That'll be no different in 2025, as Rader and her coaching staff hope to develop this year's group by leading through Christ and focusing on the individual athlete and their growth.

"My expectations are for us to grow in wisdom and stature as Christ did in his ministry," she said. "We don't grow into women of integrity by accident, but through intentional choices to honor God, even in the small things."

"What better way to practice making tough choices and sacrificing than by committing to a team and pushing through adversity by seeking Christ first when that commitment gets tested. 'If you coach the person, the skills will develop. If you coach the skills, the person may not.'"

Lincoln will return several key players to the 2025 team, as they look to fill the shoes of outgoing standout graduates Ellie Stine, Olivia Tucker and Francesca Rollandini.

Rader highlighted several returnees that will step up for the Bulldogs this fall.

"Jada Faulkner will be a huge presence in the middle and showed just how hungry she is at Wichita State team camp," Rader said. "Maleah Levell will be donning the Libero jersey this year after two seasons on varsity as a defensive specialist and pin hitter. Her consistency will be paramount as we lost two of our three primary serve receivers last year."

Faulkner had 221 kills a year ago and had a 27% hitting percentage and is the top returnee in those categories. The senior is a force up front and totaled 77 blocks in 2024, as well.

Levell, also a senior, is one of the top returning defenders, averaging 6.5 digs and posting a 1.96 serve receive rating last season.

Rader will also welcome some younger standouts that will step into larger roles this season, especially in the outside hitter department.

"Harlow Brown, Niya Willoby and Katelyn Brett will be stepping into bigger roles for us this year as we look to replace those passers," Rader said. "Harlow and Niya will bring some huge firepower as well."

Brown had 119 kills last season to go along with 32 aces, 34 assists, 61 blocks and 78 digs.

Rader will lean heavily on her entire senior class,, as she expects big things from the group of Karlie Jones, Anabel Nelson, Wylie Bales and Grace Posey, alongside Faulkner and Levell.

Jones will play a key role, specifically on the offensive side as she will occupy a pivotal role to open up the Lincoln attack.

"Karlie will be leading our offense as our setter and her collected demeanor is a uniting force for our underclassmen working into the lineup," Rader said. "We're working to make her a more offensive threat to give her hitters better options by holding blockers on the other side of the net."

Nelson and Bales will be crucial pieces, as well, along with Posey, who is back after a two-year break.

"Anabel and Wylie are our pin hitters with big plans to be a positive energy on and off the court. We also have a familiar face returning to the program after a couple year hiatus in Grace Posey," Rader said. 

The head coach loves how this veteran group has led the rest of the team thus far and part of that is credited to their relationship off the floor.

"All six of these girls have painted a beautiful vision for the underclassmen," Rader said. "What's unique about this group is how close of friends they are outside of the gym, so there is a chemistry that will be hard for opponents to imitate."

Part of that is what makes this Lincoln program great, as from top to bottom, the program displays selflessness, chemistry and hard work, which has resulted in a trip to state in each of the last 16 years.

"Our upperclassmen work tirelessly to link arms with underclassmen to bring them along for the journey so that the baton passing is just another step in the journey," Rader said. "The underclassmen have it modeled so well year after year because the older girls empower them and challenge them to rise to their level. It accelerates growth. That camaraderie, combined with the work these girls do in the offseason and the grit built in Summer Pride, has been a winning formula."

That's never more evident than in the summer, when these bonds are formed.

"We go heavy on the relationship building to honor one of my favorite quotes that has turned into a foundation for our program, 'Boys battle to bond, but girls bond to battle,'" Rader said. "Between a pool party, team camp, lock-in and retreat, the girls have been making memories this summer."

This has already helped develop trust on and off the floor, which Rader hopes will be a difference as the season goes on.

"Building trust with the girl on the court next to you takes time off of the court," she said. "I believe it's a huge contributing factor that takes our program far into the postseason year after year."

Rader will be joined by two former players this season in Lincoln alumni Micalah Reed and Micah Clayton.

The two bring a wealth of experience, especially at Lincoln, where Reed won a state title in 2022 and Clayton took home the state championship in 2019 and 2020.

""With the addition of two former players as staff members this year, we've been able to hit the ground running with drill implementation and the girls have another set of eyes to give feedback and a confidant to walk through the highs and lows of sport with them," Rader said. "I am truly so grateful for how this season is kicking off."

As Rader and her team gear up for the start of the season, which kicks off with scrimmages vs. Broken Arrow (July 30), Claremore (July 31-Aug. 1), Jenks (Aug. 6) and Owasso (Aug. 8).

The season opener is Aug. 11 when the Bulldogs travel to Catoosa. 

The Bulldogs host Regent Prep on Aug. 12 in the home opener before hosting the annual Bulldog Showdown on campus Aug. 15-16.

With another loaded schedule in front, Rader and her team know how to trust the process and what lies ahead by continuing to improve and be peaking come playoff time.

"One of the most heart-swelling sentiments I often hear from other coaches is that our teams never look the same in August as they do by October," she said. "Our growth is exponential. We trust that by focusing on the fundamentals early on in season, that 'slow and steady' will win the race."