Liberty University Club Sports Athletics
Saturday, October 10
Charlottesville, VA
TBA
Liberty University Club Sports
at
UVA Ultimate Frisbee Women's Tournament
This year's team features a balanced mix of returning players and newcomers with experience. (Photos by Dawn Baker)
11/6/2026 2:50:00 PM | Women's Ultimate
Team captains Maddie and Mallory Clark first Liberty players to receive invitations to try out for U-24 National Team in spring.
Liberty University's women's ultimate team opened its fall non-conference season by competing with split squads at an Oct. 10 tournament hosted by the University of Virginia.
Head Coach Bethany Weldy focused on giving the Lady Flames experience, increasing playing time, and building depth across the roster, creating opportunities for both returning players and newcomers to compete together on two balanced teams.
"After graduating nine seniors last year, our returners have gotten to step into bigger leadership roles on the field," Weldy said.
She pointed to juniors Maddie Clark, Annie Rawn and Emily Smith as players who transitioned smoothly into handler roles during the tournament along with freshman Naomi Cuthbertson.
"Overall, it was a great way to start out the new season," Weldy said.
She was impressed with the team's effort, highlighting senior Olivia Dyjewski, a first-year player at Liberty, for recording a layout score and freshman Isabella Vizcarra Florres for completing a "bookend" sequence of plays, forcing a turnover and scoring on the ensuing possession.
Liberty has 21 players this season, with senior Mallory Clark and her younger sister, Maddie, serving as captains alongside senior Kate Lyle. Juniors Sylvia Janssens and Samantha Grimes are the designated Disciple Makers, helping to support the team's spiritual culture.
Beyond skill development, Weldy wants her players to strengthen their mental discipline and consistency. The team's motto, inspired by Luke 16:10, is "Faithful in the Little Things," a reminder that growth comes through everyday effort, practice habits, and commitment to team goals.
This weekend, the Lady Flames will compete in the Blue Ridge Finale at the Smith River Sports Complex in Axton, Va. Liberty will be one 14 teams in the tournament, including the College of William & Mary, Ohio State University, and the University of Maryland.
As the team continues to build for the upcoming spring season with USA Ultimate-sanctioned tournaments leading up to the Virginia Conference Championships and potential East Coast Regional and USA Ultimate Collegiate National tournament bids, the Clark sisters are also preparing for a chance to play at the next level. They are the first Liberty players invited to try out for the U-24 women's team at one of two National Team events in November.
Out of 109 women invited to try out for the U-24 team, only 24 will be selected to represent their respective schools and clubs at next summer's World Under-24 Ultimate Championships in Japan...
The sisters applied for the tryout opportunity over the summer, completing a lengthy process that required two coach recommendations. They received their acceptance emails during the first week of August.
"We didn't think we were going to get it," Maddie Clark said. "We even didn't get wait-listed. They just kind of accepted us first round, which was pretty cool."
Both are excited to represent the university while continuing to grow as student-athletes. Neither sister had played ultimate before arriving at Liberty, where they quickly developed a passion for the sport while growing in their faith.
"This season, our focus is really like, how can we show the love of Christ to the other teams that we play against and people we meet?" Mallory Clark said.
The sisters said Liberty's athletic environment has helped shape their perspective on competition, encouraging them to place greater emphasis on serving the Lord and being ambassadors for Christ through their actions on and off the field.
"We're here to play for the Lord, and winning is just something that comes," Mallory said.
They credited Weldy, former Head Coach Jonathan Mast, and their teammates for helping them develop their skills and fall in love with the sport. Their U-24 opportunity reflects their individual growth while aligning with the team's broader focus on improvement, leadership, and keeping faith at the center of competition.
By Amory Doyle/Student Writer
Head Coach Bethany Weldy focused on giving the Lady Flames experience, increasing playing time, and building depth across the roster, creating opportunities for both returning players and newcomers to compete together on two balanced teams.
"After graduating nine seniors last year, our returners have gotten to step into bigger leadership roles on the field," Weldy said.
She pointed to juniors Maddie Clark, Annie Rawn and Emily Smith as players who transitioned smoothly into handler roles during the tournament along with freshman Naomi Cuthbertson.
"Overall, it was a great way to start out the new season," Weldy said.
She was impressed with the team's effort, highlighting senior Olivia Dyjewski, a first-year player at Liberty, for recording a layout score and freshman Isabella Vizcarra Florres for completing a "bookend" sequence of plays, forcing a turnover and scoring on the ensuing possession.
Liberty has 21 players this season, with senior Mallory Clark and her younger sister, Maddie, serving as captains alongside senior Kate Lyle. Juniors Sylvia Janssens and Samantha Grimes are the designated Disciple Makers, helping to support the team's spiritual culture.
Beyond skill development, Weldy wants her players to strengthen their mental discipline and consistency. The team's motto, inspired by Luke 16:10, is "Faithful in the Little Things," a reminder that growth comes through everyday effort, practice habits, and commitment to team goals.
This weekend, the Lady Flames will compete in the Blue Ridge Finale at the Smith River Sports Complex in Axton, Va. Liberty will be one 14 teams in the tournament, including the College of William & Mary, Ohio State University, and the University of Maryland.
As the team continues to build for the upcoming spring season with USA Ultimate-sanctioned tournaments leading up to the Virginia Conference Championships and potential East Coast Regional and USA Ultimate Collegiate National tournament bids, the Clark sisters are also preparing for a chance to play at the next level. They are the first Liberty players invited to try out for the U-24 women's team at one of two National Team events in November.
Out of 109 women invited to try out for the U-24 team, only 24 will be selected to represent their respective schools and clubs at next summer's World Under-24 Ultimate Championships in Japan...
The sisters applied for the tryout opportunity over the summer, completing a lengthy process that required two coach recommendations. They received their acceptance emails during the first week of August.
"We didn't think we were going to get it," Maddie Clark said. "We even didn't get wait-listed. They just kind of accepted us first round, which was pretty cool."
Both are excited to represent the university while continuing to grow as student-athletes. Neither sister had played ultimate before arriving at Liberty, where they quickly developed a passion for the sport while growing in their faith.
"This season, our focus is really like, how can we show the love of Christ to the other teams that we play against and people we meet?" Mallory Clark said.
The sisters said Liberty's athletic environment has helped shape their perspective on competition, encouraging them to place greater emphasis on serving the Lord and being ambassadors for Christ through their actions on and off the field.
"We're here to play for the Lord, and winning is just something that comes," Mallory said.
They credited Weldy, former Head Coach Jonathan Mast, and their teammates for helping them develop their skills and fall in love with the sport. Their U-24 opportunity reflects their individual growth while aligning with the team's broader focus on improvement, leadership, and keeping faith at the center of competition.
By Amory Doyle/Student Writer
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Ultimate
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/ Women's Ultimate
/ Women's Ultimate
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