Baptist Bible College begins the 2023 season under the direction of new Head Coach Taylor Menzies.  If the last name seems familiar, it should be, as Coach Menzies made a name for herself locally as a high school player for the Clever Bluejays just a few short years ago.  The schedule is challenging for the young squad, two juniors and one sophomore returning, but the Lady Patriots have been preparing with tough workouts to compensate for their youthful inexperience. 
Coach Menzies spent her college playing days at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, Iowa and then completed her Bachelor's Degree at Keiser University in West Palm Beach, Florida.  She returned to be an Assistant Coach at Southeastern C.C. last season and is read to take the next step with the Lady Patriots.  Coach Menzies' style of coaching focuses on player development, consistency, and discipline.  Those qualities will be needed as the schedule features some new opponents which include quality NAIA and NCAA Division 2 programs.
The returning players, juniors Madilynn Cole of Licking and Cassidy Pentecost of Springfield Hillcrest bring floor experience to the squad, as does sophomore middle blocker Sarah Purcell who hails from Houston, Missouri.  Nine freshmen will be thrown into the action right away, many of which have local ties to southwest Missouri.  Those players are: Sequoia Cronlund of Ozark, Madelyn Elsten of Campbell, Texas, Kloe Hendrickson of Forsyth, Summer Kenney of Stockton, Rylea King of Clever, Charity Middleton of Walker, Ella Sims of Willard, Abbi Street of Clever, and Mackenzie Unruh of Townsend, Delaware.
When asked about the upcoming season, Coach Menzies responded, "We're super excited and know this will be a challenge, but this should be a great season overall!"