FUTURE IS NOW: Former WCS spiker set to play for Southwestern Christian

Wesleyan Christian School senior Rachel Hopkins, seated center, inks her letter of intent to play volleyball at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany. Joining for the momentous moment are, from left, Karlye Wagner and Alexis Brown (club coaches), mother Rhonda Hopkins, and Mariah Cooks and Derrick Zamora (School (WCS coaches).

One of Wesleyan Christian School’s most-ever versatile female athletes has decided on her college home.

Rachel Hopkins is set to bolster the Southwestern Christian University women’s volleyball team with the skills she has garnered the past several years.

“At Wesleyan Christian I played every position but middle hitter,” Hopkins said. “I played outside hitter, right-side hitter and all the back row positions.”

Hopkins is focusing on playing a back row role, possibly libero, for SWCU.

Her contact with the school began when WCS volleyball coach Mariah Cooks received an email about SWCU tryouts. Cooks forwarded it to Hopkins.

Hopkins contacted the school and arranged to attend a tryout.

“I remember not playing at my best, but I made three really good pancakes (diving prone to the floor to make a save and bump the ball to a passer),” she recalled. “After the tryout, she (the coach) said, ‘I know you were off your game a little bit.'”

But, the coach also praised the pancakes.

After the coach watched more video footage of Hopkins’ in game action, she made the offer.

Hopkins, who began playing in the fifth or sixth grade, credited her time in club volleyball — starting her junior season — as vital to her development.

As a senior, she played on a club team named Redline, which advanced to the nationals.

“That gave my great exposure and made me a way better player,” Hopkins said.

During her high school career, Hopkins also played basketball, although she saw only partial action as a junior, when the team needed her.

Volleyball has always been No. 1 in her heart. She recalled being the first girl on her youth team to bump serve correctly and then to develop a jump serve.

She made the varsity team her freshman year.

In her senior season (2022-23), WCS volleyball produced its most-ever successful season (14-11).

“I was very proud of my girls,” Hopkins said, adding she and the older players with club experience helped groom the younger girls.

“Our improvement (as a team) was so amazing,” she added.

Hopkins career goal is to work in physical therapy.

She’s grateful for her Christian education at WCS, for her coaches, for Claudean Dean for sponsoring her on her club team and for her parent, “who have been a huge support.”

Hopkins credited competing with her six brothers in helping her sharpen her athletic abilities.

“Success comes from hard work and believing in yourself,” she added.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Star Wesleyan Christian volleyball player eyes college level