Alyssa Bowen, a junior on the Lancaster Bible College volleyball team, died on Monday after being involved in an auto collision in western Maryland near her home of Westminster. She was 20 years old.
Bowen was a two-sport athlete at LBC, playing on the basketball and volleyball teams. In volleyball, she was a middle hitter who earned recognition on the North Eastern Athletic Conference All-Conference Second Team last season, where she led the team with 316 kills and 77 blocks. Her 60 block assists and 77 total blocks were 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the NEAC last season.
“Anyone who knew Alyssa as a person and a player knew that she was full of potential,” Lancaster Bible Director of Athletics Pete Beers said. “While we don’t understand it, we realize her potential for who she was to be has been fulfilled by God. We hurt for her family, friends and teammates, but are confident that she is in heaven and look forward to the day when we will meet again.”
Lancaster Bible College President Dr. Peter W. Teague echoed Beers’ sentiments.
“I cannot begin to put words to the waves of grief we feel as a college family, for indeed we are a family,” Teague said. “Those feelings would be overwhelming if it were not for the reality of a Christ-delivered eternity for Alyssa. Yet we grieve. Deeply. A mainstay on our women’s volleyball team, Alyssa was a leader. She is still a vivacious leader and friend, now even more so for we know with certainty she is alive in Christ.”
Lancaster Bible Women’s Volleyball Head Coach Lauren Bewley says that she will remember Alyssa’s smile the most.
“Her joy was always genuine and bright,” Bewley said. “Her smile could change the climate of our team. She leaves a hole on our team and in our hearts. We are so thankful that we will be a team again someday in heaven.”
A viewing will be held on Friday, December 23 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., with a Celebration of Life Service to follow at 11 a.m. Both services will be held at Uniontown Bible Church in Union Bridge, Md. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mount Airy Christian Academy for the newly created Alyssa Bowen Memorial Fund. You may give online HERE or by mailing to 16700 Old Frederick Rd., Mount Airy, MD 21771.
Lancaster Bible College, located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is an NCAA Division III team.
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