Standout Bullard tours Brazil with team
Kori Bullard, a Lake Hamilton High School alum and rising senior at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, recently returned from a volleyball tour of Brazil with
19 of the best players in Division II. USA Volleyball selected 20 of the best volleyball players in the country for the first
D-2 National Teams to compete against top
under-22, adult and professional teams from the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The national team selections were comprised of players recognized as All-Americans, all-region and all-conference throughout the country.
“It is really indescribable,” Bullard said. “I never thought I would get that opportunity. Not that many people get the chance. I wanted to make everyone proud. I get back home and so many people have told me congratulations. It truly feels amazing.”
The 20 players were divided into two teams. The red team consisted of 10 players from six different home states who compete at seven different colleges and universities.
Bullard was chosen for the black team, which included nine players from seven different home states and one from Australia. Eight colleges and universities were represented.
“This is an outstanding group of young women,” said Ron Smith of USA Sports Tours & Events. “Many of the players on
this year’s USA D-2/Brazil Tour team had great individual seasons and led their teams into postseason play. This tour is designed to expose players to a great volleyball experience while providing a once in a lifetime opportunity for educational, cultural and social growth.”
Bullard received the Crafton Tull Elite Scholar Athlete award from the Great American Conference after the 2016-17 season for the second straight year. She was an All-GAC First Team selection and holds a 4.0 cumulative gradepoint average.
The Biology/Pre-Med major is the daughter of Jim and Dana Bullard. She also received honorable mention on the All-GAC women’s basketball team after she led the Lady Tigers in rebounds, blocked shots and field goal percentage.
USA Volleyball called Bullard to invite her on the tour. Head volleyball coach Danny Prescott communicated with Smith beforehand and provided film for USA Volleyball to review.
“I never consider myself to be at that level to be considered,” Bullard said. “Whenever I got the call, I was in disbelief and, of course, I jumped right on it.”
Bullard was the only selection from the Great American Conference. The team met for the first time on May 29 in Orlando, Fla., to travel together to Brazil.
Selections for the black team included Sam Blasko, Nova Southeastern University in Florida; Erin Braun, University of Alaska-Anchorage; Bri Civiero Rollins College in Florida; Morgan Hooe, Alaska-Anchorage; Katrina Janssen Caldwell University in New Jersey; Shannon McDonough, Rollins; Allison Olley University of Minnesota-Duluth; Cathy Scaniffe King University in Tennessee; and Kaitlyn Sibson, Eckerd College in Florida. Nova coach Jennifer King was selected to lead the team.
They practiced together for the first time on May 30 in the city of Jundiaí, which is located about 20 miles outside of the city of São Paulo, the most populous city in the southern hemisphere. Both São Paulo and Mexico City have populations of more than 20 million people to lead the western hemisphere.
“I think we all felt a little intimidated by each other, but once we figured out we could all play, I felt I was at their level,” Bullard said.
The team’s first two matches were on May 31 and June 1 against one professional team and one club team. Bullard said they had a shaky start in their opening match, although she felt it was her best performance of the tour.
Their issues were compounded when the team’s right side hitter rolled her ankle in the first match. Bullard and the two other middle blockers were forced to rotate in on the right side.
“We really just had to learn as we played, which was fun because they are awesome players,” Bullard said. “We clicked pretty quickly.”
The team traveled six hours by bus to Rio on July 2. They stayed on the famous Copacabana Beach and toured the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain.
Both D-2 teams were part of the International Challenge on June 4 and competed against two club teams from the city of Rio. The black team finished the tour 2-2.
“Volleyball is such a chemistry sport,” Bullard said. “It is really about knowing who you have beside you and trust. We did not get to form that bond as much. I wish we would have been able to play even more competitively.”
Bullard said the tour offered a unique opportunity to visit another country, develop new relationships and represent her country. She said the team members continue to communicate with each other daily.
“I made connections in places I would not have,” Bullard said. “It was so unique and really awesome. To do it with ‘USA’ across your chest is even better.”
Bullard said she plans to attend medical school after she graduates from OBU, but could explore professional options in basketball or volleyball. The 201718 academic year will be the last of her college eligibility.
“It is going to be sad, but I have given it everything,” Bullard said. “I have no regrets at all. I am so glad I played both in college. Although it kills me a lot of days, I would not go back and change my mind.”