Bethany Clapp’s right shoulder hurts. It’s the byproduct, she said, from years of wear and tear. Then again, the bumps, bruises and pain could very well be from the seasons in which Clapp carried the load and vision of a program that came into her life when both were at a pivotal crossroad.

A week before Christmas 2017, Samantha Dabbs Thomas was hired as volleyball coach at the University of Incarnate Word. A month later, at the urging of a club coach, Dabbs Thomas attended a club tournament at the Alamodome to scout an outside hitter looking for a place play after the college she previously committed to had a coaching change. The player was Clapp, a 6-footer from Tuloso-Midway, near Corpus Christi.

“I knew right away she was kind of that kid who was going to help me take the program to the next level, that I wanted to get it to,” Dabbs Thomas said. “She’s done an amazing job for us the past four years.”

With Clapp playing a leading role, the Cardinals (11-18) are headed to the Southland Conference tournament this weekend at Houston Baptist. They play New Orleans (1-21) in the first round at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

UIW, which swept New Orleans when the teams met on teams met on Oct. 7, is in the postseason for the second straight season. A year ago, though, the team was traveling to Corpus Christi, the site of the SLC tournament, when it had to turn around and return to San Antonio because of COVID-19 protocols.

“I would say we’re more hungry this year because last year we were so excited to go, and then on the way there, it didn’t end up happening,” UIW setter Natalie Martin said. “I think that just carried over this year. Yes, everyone gets to go the conference tournament. But this year, we want to make a statement at it.”

For the Cardinals, this weekend could be an opportunity to make a mark before moving next fall to the Western Athletic Conference. For Clapp, it’s a chance to add to a legacy that Dabbs Thomas equated to a business proudly displaying the currency from its first transaction.

“It is exactly like that feeling when you get that first dollar bill,” Dabbs Thomas said. “Bethany is definitely going to have a special place on my trophy shelf and, of course, in my heart.”

The bond between Dabbs Thomas and Clapp has added significance. When their paths crossed, Dabbs Thomas was just getting started as a head coach. Clapp, on the other hand, was hoping her playing career wasn’t over.

“I was terrified, because I knew I wanted to play Division I volleyball,” Clapp said. “It was really scary, because a lot of schools were like, ‘No, we’re full.’ It was definitely interesting having to start the whole recruiting process over again. In the end, obviously, it worked out.”

Things turned out well for Clapp, but not without trepidation. Jamie Gill, Clapp’s high school coach at Tuloso-Midway who this fall finished her first season at Pearland, recalled in December 2017 walking down an empty school hallway with Clapp, hearing the concern in the player’s voice and seeing the disappointment on her face when it looked as if her prospects of playing college were slim.

“I just reassured her there is a place for you, and when that place finds you, they’re going to be so happy,” said Gill, who guided Tuloso-Midway to UIL Class 5A state tournament berths in 2016 and 2017 and the Region IV-5A tournament in 2015 during Clapp’s three varsity campaigns.

Dabbs Thomas watched Clapp played for two days at a club tournament in San Antonio, marveling at her height, her unorthodox attacking form (Clapp, who is right-handed, has the footwork of someone who is left-handed when she goes up to attack) and passing ability. A month later, over lunch at a restaurant near campus, Dabbs Thomas offered Clapp a scholarship.

About eight months later, Clapp was named conference freshman of the year after racking up 324 kills, a school record for a freshman. Her impact hasn’t wavered since, even as the program was trying to find its footing. She carried a heavy load in her first two seasons, racking up 610 kills but also attempting nearly 1,900 swings.

“I feel like everyone wants to be that player that your teammates trust and that they go to in those pressure situations,” said Clapp, who earlier this season recorded her 1,000th kill. “I feel in the past, I definitely have been, but it’s taken a toll on my body. This year, we have a lot more players. We can set anyone and just feel comfortable with it.”

With the additions of Annamarie Alvarez, Chase Jackson, Nailah Landon, Jacqueline Arrington, Allison Palmi and Risa Sena in recent years, the Cardinals have more weapons and balance. But when they need a crucial play in a key moment, odds are they’re going to Clapp.

“She’s kind of the heartbeat of the team,” Dabbs Thomas said. “However Bethany is playing, our team is going to play at the level. Bethany knows that. We want to run a spread offense, but we also know when big-time plays need to be made, we’ve got to get the ball to Bethany.”

Martin learned as much years ago, back when she was a sophomore and junior in high school and competing vs. Clapp in club tournaments. Even back then, Clapp was quite impressive, Martin said.

“I remember her blond, curly hair — and that she was good,” said Martin, who transferred in 2020 from Jacksonville University. “She always had a smile on face. I was like, ‘I’m going to like this girl.’ She was super sweet and just had her arms wide open. I felt I fit in really well this team because of her. I love playing with her. Her energy on the court is so much, and just her calm presence just balances the whole team.”

terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1