It’s not every day that a college athlete breaks records before declaring a major, but at 18 years old, Laci Bohannan has already started killing the game. 

In a winning volleyball match against Oral Roberts on Aug. 26, Bohannan managed 28 kills, setting a UCA record for most kills for a single match in the rally scoring era, according to UCA Sports. 

If the record-breaking wasn’t impressive enough, she accomplished it in her second-ever collegiate match. Bohannan was later named the ASUN Freshman of the Week, the first-ever Sugar Bear of the volleyball team to earn the award. 

“It all felt so surreal,” Bohannan said. “I had not come into that first weekend with any expectations of how I was going to play besides letting myself play as free as possible.”

Bohannan stressed the importance of her team’s efforts to her triumphs. 

“I can’t take any of the credit,” she said. “I was just putting the ball away, but the entire back row was giving amazing passes. Leigh was spot on and Caylan’s sets were absolutely beautiful. There is no way I could have even gotten close to breaking that record without any of them”

Though her team’s contributions can’t be ignored, Bohannan’s main source of support derives from her family. 

“They remind me to stay humble through everything,” she said. With her family’s athletic background, Bohannan is no stranger to the game, but she learned the important lessons from her parents. 

“My parents have taught me to stand firm in my faith and allow my actions, both on and off the court, to reflect that,” Bohannan said. With respect, kindness and a strong faith in God, Bohannan’s parents prepared her to reach for the stars.

“You never know what kind of opportunities may arise,” Bohannan said.

Bohannan’s stars began to align in her hometown of Benton, Arkansas. There, she played on her school volleyball team at Benton High School, as well as her travel team at Elite Volleyball Academy, where she first picked up the game in the fourth grade.

“I was coached under Tanja Eckart,” she said. Eckart, club director of Elite Volleyball Academy, coached her until she graduated high school.

“She is my biggest role model and has taught me so many life lessons,” Bohannan said.

Now, as an outside hitter for the UCA Sugar Bears volleyball team, Bohannan knows she is where she needs to be, but the decision did not come decisively.

Bohannan had originally committed and signed to Arkansas State University, but after a change with the Red Wolves coaching staff, Bohannan reopened her recruiting. 

“I knew it was time to find a new home,” Bohannan said. “Deep down I knew UCA was where I wanted to be. The coaching staff is amazing and really values volleyball. Their athletes and the directors at UCA value their volleyball program.”

“I am excited to meet a lot of new people and play in different states,” Bohannan said. “The team has gotten so much closer and I cannot wait for all of the new friendships throughout the next four years.”

With only four collegiate games under her belt so far, Bohannan knows she still has work to do. “I have to continue to work every day to get stronger, as well as keep my body intact to withhold the level of play I hold myself at,” Bohannan said. She puts her focus on the basic fundamentals, to continue building her knowledge of the game. 

“Mentally, it can get very overwhelming balancing school and volleyball,” she said. “But I am working to keep a schedule and stay on top of any coursework I have to ensure I am ready when it comes game time.”

With the bigger picture in mind, Bohannan’s high hopes extend past herself. “I am expecting a lot of great things. I think we have a really strong team this year, with a tremendous amount of potential to achieve some high accomplishments.”

When asked about her motivation, Bohannan said, “I want to win. My competitive spirit comes from my entire family and our motto of ‘if you’re not first, you’re last.’”

“I want to use all of my resources and my God-given abilities to see how far I can get in the sport of volleyball. I strive to be the best version of myself.” 

“Volleyball has taught me how to be a leader, how to work with others and discipline,” she said.

“Volleyball means everything to me. It has been my entire identity since I was in fourth grade,” Bohannan said. “That is what people know me for, and I love every second of it.”