Dalton Returns to Liberty By K i m Davis tive change for the volThere's no place like home for Beth Dalton, Liberty's volleyball coach. "I feel like I'm back at home," she said. leyball program. "The "Everyone has been very supportive and encouraging." team used to have to Beth played volleyball at Liberty. She began her coach- complete the season ing career at Middle Tennessee State in 1980, threemonths with a regular game," after graduation at age 21, thus making her one of the she said. "This gives youngest coaches ever in Division I. She coached at us something to work Liberty for four years before moving to Arizona to coach towards. It also gives at Grand Canyon University. She also coached at the team a chance to Randolph M a c o n W o m a n ' s College and Samford Uni- develop friendships versity before returning to Lynchburg with her husband within the rivalry of Rodney and their two children, Broderick and Blythe. healthy competition." With only two reSince playing at Liberty, Beth has been involved in turning starters and U S V B A as a player and coach, reaching national and no contributing reinternational certification and recognition as a setter, Her greatest satisfaction, however, comes from the cruits, Coach Dalton results she sees in her players. "It is very rewarding to has had a difficult rek n o w that you are having an input in a young person's building year. She is life," she said. "Through the vehicle of volleyball, you XSSeah°Wsr- PhCobyTimAlbertson can teach athletes m a n y important things about life and ture. "The team had little court experience, but playing themselves, like self-esteem and self-discipline, keys to such a difficult schedule this season will direct us for the success that will be with them throughout life." future," she said. "With strong recruitment, I believe we According to Beth, Liberty's entrance into the Big will have a marked improvement next year." South Conference provided the biggest and most posi-
Bell Enjoys the Challenge
By Jennifer Hale time." The name Bell and soccer are synonymous at LU. This includes supA n d r e w Bell was born in Leeds,. England, where he w a s raised through his preteen years. Over a decade ago, porting his dad in he m o v e d with his family to Los Angeles and later to coaching decisions. "If w e ever disagree, it is Lynchburg. H e played soccer at Lynchburg Christian Academy easily resolved - w e do and then played under his father's coaching at LU, where what he wants," he there were pressures to excel. "1 felt like I had to be bettersaid. "He definitely listens to m y input because m y dad was the coach," he said. In 1988 A n d r e w became LU's assistant soccer coach. though." A n d r e w also values "It was a little weird because I was coaching some of m y his relationships with ex-teammates," he said. From that point in his life, A n d r e w did some moving the players. " W h e n around. During this time, he gained further experience you meet their parin coaching and obtained a master's degree in speech ents, you feel responcommunications. After graduating in the s u m m e r of sible spiritually and 1991, A n d r e w returned to Lynchburg and resumed his academically, not just Photo by Vangie with soccer," he said. Job as LU's assistant soccer coach. A n d r espeech w also at LU. "It's hard to divide time between S o m e of his biggest challenges in coaching deal with teaches attitudes. "You get a goal d o w n , you lose a game, but you teaching and coaching," he said. "It's like switching gears can't really be discouraged," A n d r e w said. "You have to in a car, but that makes it more interesting." be supportive of the head coach, and stay positive all the
