2025 Eagle Volleyball Season Preview

Morehead, Ky.-- The Morehead State volleyball team will bring a mix of veteran Eagles and newcomers to the program for their 2025 season.

Morehead State head coach Kyrsten Becker-McBride, now in her third season as the head coach and her 15^th overall, is optimistic for this season's edition of MSU volleyball.

"Last year going into the season, we thought we had a team with a chance to end up in the NCAA tournament and we were able to do that," she said, "I think this year's team also has a chance to be special as well."

"I said last year that if we (the coaches) have to come in every day and make the team work hard it's going to be a rough season," said Becker-McBride. "We didn't have to do that last season, and we don't have to do it now. I just really like the people we have in this program, and it's fun to come in every day and get to work."

The Eagle attack will be led by outside hitters M.E. Hargan and Hollan Everett. Hargan, a two-time First Team All-OVC selection, led Morehead State with 393 kills last season. She enters the season just five kills from becoming the 22^nd member of the 1,000-kill club at Morehead State.

Hargan played in a European tournament this summer on a team helmed by former Morehead State head coach and Athletic Director Dr. Jaime Gordon. "I think it was a good experience for her," said Becker-McBride. "They got to play a handful of games over there, their team won the tournament, and M.E. was named to the All-Tournament team."

Everett finished the 2024 season with 238 kills in her sophomore campaign.

"I told Hollan the other day, that it is so fun to watch her do things that I've watched her work on for two years," said Becker-McBride. "I think that something people don't always see if how many times you have to fail at something before it clicks. Hollan is in a spot now where she's getting those things that she's worked her tail off at."

Sarah Heath returns for her second season with the program, after transferring from Richard Bland College where she was a JUCO First Team All-America selection in 2023 and a Second Team All America selection in 2022 tallying 979 kills in her two seasons.

"Last season was not easy for her to take a mostly supporting role on game day," said Becker-McBride. "But she handled it well and when we needed her, she was ready. She's athletic, resilient and very versatile."

Redshirt sophomore Avery Ray returns after missing last season.

"Her freshman year (2023) she played six games battling through an injury," said Becker-McBride.  "She's a tough kid. She's come a long way. Her volleyball skills are better, she's faster and her arm's better. After dealing with some health issues, Avery is finally in a spot where we can really push and see how far she can go. We've been working her on both pins."

Junior Amelia Nott returns in the middle after starting all 62 games in her first two seasons at MSU. "Amelia is one of the hardest workers in the gym. She is one of our leaders both on and off the court," said Becker-McBride. "You name the situation, she's probably a great example of how it should be done."

Local product Bailey Brashear joins MSU for her fourth year of college volleyball after playing her first three seasons at Quinnipiac.

"We've known Bailey for a long time. She used to come to our camps every year and she's been around this program since she was young. She started here in the Spring and that was great in that she was able to be around the team," said Becker-McBride. "She has worked incredibly hard in the weight room, and I think she has put on three or four inches to her vertical since coming in." 

Brashear finished with 78 total blocks last season with 95 kills while hitting a .292 attack percentage. She finished her career at Rowan County High School holding school records with 1,250 kills and 306 total blocks.

Freshman Kylie Sharp joins the Eagles after a stellar career at Johnstown-Monroe High School, where she holds match, season and career records for blocks. She finished her career with 674 total blocks and 1,944 career kills.

"A big part of her success here is how much she can grow physically while she's here," said Becker-McBride. "In the three weeks we've had this preseason, we can see her catch up to the speed of the game. That's one of the biggest differences for a middle coming from high school to College, and also the attackers are all good. There is a lot more to process in a short time frame, and she's already adapting and putting up a big block in practice."

Part II of the 2025 season preview will feature the back row and setters tomorrow.