Lady Flames synchronized skaters excited to ‘Rise Up’ for season-opening show in Northern Virginia

The Liberty University synchronized skating team has high expectations in preparing for its first competition of the 2025-26 season, the Stars and Stripes Synchro Invitational set for Nov. 1 in Woodbridge Va.

The team, under the direction of Head Coach Hannah Pulley and Assistant Coach Haley Gram, features 11 skaters this year, with the addition of five freshmen and the returning expertise of four seniors.

Set to skate in the Collegiate Open division of U.S. Synchronized Skating competition again this season, the team will concentrate on perfecting its new program routine to bring the best performances to the ice.

"This season, we're really focused on mainly our power, the power that we put behind our skating, and in our program if we're able to complete the program powerfully and compete it that way, then they'll be able to enhance their skills and their points with the judges," Pulley said.

Led by junior on-ice coordinator Ava Galitsky and senior off-ice coordinator Ella Micalizzi, the team has been off to a strong start through practices in the LaHaye Ice Center and in building a team culture outside of it.

"They've been meshing very well since boot camp," Pulley said of the intensive preseason practices. "With it being a smaller team, too, it's easier for them to mesh. They have fun with theme practices and bonding events together off the ice."

The synchronized skaters also spend time together creating spiritual unity through monthly devotions and creative activities led by their team's Disciple Maker, junior Amber Banghart. The synchro skating team's collective goal is to continue to honor and glorify the Lord through skating and to represent Liberty University well through everything it does, in and outside of the arena.

The theme of the team's program this year is "Rise Up" and is aimed at sharing the idea of skating with a purpose.

"We started this season really thinking, 'What do we want our name, Liberty University to show when we skate?'" Pulley said. "One thing we really thought of was we need to rise up in this skating community and really portray ourselves as a team, and show to other teams around that you can skate with the purpose and you can skate for God and skate for what you believe in. I feel like that's one big thing of this season, that our big focus is rising up in the skating community with God."

The team plans to enter many of the same competitions as last year and is excited to showcase their routine in front of a home crowd at the annual Praise Fest in the spring, a ticketed event held in collaboration with Liberty's figure skating team at the LIC.

By Amory Doyle/Student Writer

Lady Flames synchronized skaters excited to ‘Rise Up’ for season-opening show in Northern Virginia

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Amber Banghart

Ava Galitsky

Ella Micalizzi