Ashlyn Young has grown into a steady leader for Oklahoma Bible Academy, balancing varsity volleyball, basketball and golf while learning lessons that reach beyond the scoreboard. A 12th grader, Young said each sport has shaped her in a different way, from discipline to perspective, and she has found strength in the people around her at OBA.
“Volleyball has taught me how to work hard for not just myself,” Young said. Golf, she said, has taught her “how to enjoy something I’m not good at and how to enjoy the company of people I don’t know.” Those lessons reflect a senior athlete who has embraced both competition and growth.
Young also pointed to several adults and teammates who have influenced her faith and leadership. She credited Mrs. Sandwick and Mr. Reese for their wisdom and impact through teaching, and she said Brianna Colby has shown her what leadership looks like. “She has shown me what leadership looks like and how hard work leads to results,” Young said.
At OBA, Young said the sense of community stands out. “I love how the community is very loving and supportive,” she said. That support has mattered most during difficult moments, including after a tornado, when the OK Glory volleyball teams rallied around her. Young said they offered prayer, financial help and understanding, giving her space to handle what she needed without pressure.
Young also gives back to younger athletes. She serves as an assistant coach for the OK Glory 13s volleyball team under head coach Hayven Schultz, a role that lets her help the next generation while staying close to the sport that has shaped her.
Looking ahead, Young said advice from Sherry Salyer helped guide her toward a future in nursing by explaining pathways in the medical field. She also thanked her older sister, Madilynn Young, for always being available with advice, and Kendra Kroeker for staying after practice to help keep her “in the right space.”
For Young, the journey has been about more than medals or matches. It has been about faith, service, leadership and learning to grow through every season.
