OBU, LH star serves out career

The Sentinel-Record/Richard Rasmussen STANDOUT SERVICE: Ouachita Baptist senior Kori Bullard prepares to serve in the final match of her career with the Tigers a week ago in the first round of the 2017 Great American Conference Volleyball Championship Tournament at Bank of the Ozarks Arena. The Lake Hamilton graduate now turns her attention to her final basketball season.
The Sentinel-Record/Richard Rasmussen STANDOUT SERVICE: Ouachita Baptist senior Kori Bullard prepares to serve in the final match of her career with the Tigers a week ago in the first round of the 2017 Great American Conference Volleyball Championship Tournament at Bank of the Ozarks Arena. The Lake Hamilton graduate now turns her attention to her final basketball season.

Kori Bullard, who starred for multiple sports teams at Lake Hamilton High School and Ouachita Baptist University, saw her volleyball potentially end a week ago as she turns her attention toward what could be the final season of her athletic career.

The multi-sport standout is in her senior season at Ouachita. She is the daughter of Jim and Dana Bullard.

The No. 6 seed Tigers (19-2) were ousted from the 2017 Great American Conference volleyball tournament a week ago at Bank of the Ozarks Arena. Oklahoma Baptist (18-15) won the opening match of the tournament 3-1.

"It is unbelievable it is over," Bullard said. "It doesn't feel like it is my time. I still remember walking in as a freshman and being this little baby. I'm kind of in disbelief, but it is starting to hit me now."

Honors continue to pour in for the senior Biology/Pre-Med major. Bullard has a 4.0 grade point average and was recently named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District Volleyball team. She was among 10 student-athletes from NCAA Division II District 7 to receive the honor, which qualifies her for the CoSIDA All-America team to be announced in December.

Bullard finished her final regular season with 305 kills, a .293 hitting percentage, 78 blocks, 77 digs and 23 service aces. She notched 15 kills, five digs and one ace against Oklahoma Baptist.

The Tigers' roster included just three seniors out of almost 20 players. Bullard was named Second-Team All-GAC with two junior and sophomore teammates.

"It was tough being one of the only older ones on the court, but the young ones have a ton of potential," Bullard said. "They just need to grow into it and grow into the college game."

Ouachita was .500 in conference play in Bullard's first two seasons and 9-7 this season, but finished 2016 atop the GAC standings at 12-4 alongside Harding.

"Last season, we were on such a high and, this year, we battled age," Bullard said. "It was just a constant. We were either on or off, but I did feel like this team fought really hard."

Bullard was among 20 volleyball players selected for the first D-2 National Teams earlier this year. The teams toured Brazil to compete against top under-22, adult and professional teams.

"I do think it helped me throughout the year in knowing that I am capable, I deserve to be where I am and playing with that passion," Bullard said. "All year, I just knew I would miss volleyball after it was done. I already do."

The vicinity of OBU's campus in Arkadelphia to Hot Springs allowed Bullard to enjoy a level of support impossible for most of her teammates. Lake Hamilton volleyball coach even took her entire junior high team to one of the Tigers' home matches this season.

"I played my heart out," Bullard said. "It was one of my better games of the season. I love those girls and those girls look up to me. That is such an honor, because they see me not only as a good athlete but a good role model. I love that. Getting to take pictures after the game, I literally felt like a celebrity out there."

Bullard has played her final match at OBU for coach Danny Prescott, but doors remain open for a future in volleyball. She said she currently plans to attend medical school after graduation, but she could pursue opportunities overseas or in coaching.

"It is a possibility, but it depends on how life works out," Bullard said.

Ouachita's basketball team dropped to 1-3 with a road loss Northwestern Oklahoma State before Bullard joined the team on Monday. She said coach Garry Crowder did not sub her out of any practices this week.

"My mind is in basketball season now," Bullard said. "I guess I'm used to it."

The Tigers will return to practice Saturday and next play at home against Blue Mountain College on Monday. 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 led the basketball team in rebounds, blocked shots and field goal percentage last season. She joked she is not looking forward to senior night for basketball after an already emotional volleyball send-off.

"Going from volleyball, that season ending and realizing what your last game feels like, it showed me to push these teammates," Bullard said. "I want to end on a happier note. I want to end on a win. I know that is hard, even if we win the conference tournament. We would go to the national tournament. Ending on a win is tough. Only one team does it.

"But I don't want it to end. I don't want to regret anything. I have been busting my tail. I have been getting shots up as much as I can. It has made me appreciate the game because I don't have that much time left."

Sports on 11/23/2017

Upcoming Events