-
- Title:
- Head Coach
-
- Phone:
- (731) 352-6436
-
- Email:
- cuppless@bethelu.edu
-
- Year:
- 20th
Bio
B.S., Bethel University, 2003
MAEd, Bethel University, 2008
Coach Starla Cupples (318-278) enters her 20th year as head coach of Bethel volleyball in 2024-25.
She ranks 28th in wins among active coaches in the NAIA.
The Lexington, Tenn., native began her career at Bethel as a dual-sport athlete in the fall of 1999 as a member of the volleyball and softball teams. She graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education/Kinesiology.
As a graduate assistant in 2004, Cupples worked under the guidance of Head Coach Malissa Vaughn. In 2005 she took the reigns as head coach. In 2008 she completed her Master of Education degree.
2016 was the most successful season in the program’s history. The Lady Wildcats were 29-6 overall, 18-2 in the SSAC and a perfect 12-0 at home in Crisp Arena. At one point of the season the Lady Cats won 13 straight matches.
Starla, her husband Kevin, son Aiden and daughter Briley reside in McKenzie.
Coaching Record
| Year | Overall | Conference |
| 2005 | 10-19 (.345) | |
| 2006 | 17-22 (.436) | 2-12 (.143) |
| 2007 | 16-18 (.471) | 8-10 (.444) |
| 2008 | 14-15 (.483) | 7-7 (.500) |
| 2009 | 21-7 (.750) | 9-5 (.643) |
| 2010 | 25-12 (.676) | 9-5 (.643) |
| 2011 | 19-13 (.594) | 13-1 (.929) |
| 2012 | 16-18 (.471) | 6-0 (1.000) |
| 2013 | 0-30 (.000) | 0-14 (.000) |
| 2014 | 19-15 (.559) | 10-8 (.556) |
| 2015 | 21-13 (.618) | 12-4 (.750) |
| 2016 | 29-6 (.829) | 18-2 (.900) |
| 2017 | 13-17 (.433) | 8-6 (.571) |
| 2018 | 21-8 (.724) | 11-5 (.688) |
| 2019 | 22-13 (.629) | 11-2 (.846) |
| 2020 | 11-12 (.478) | 7-9 (.438) |
| 2021 | 10-15 (.400) | 3-13 (.188) |
| 2022 | 22-10 (.688) | 7-8 (.467) |
| 2023 | 12-15 (.444) | 4-8 (.333) |
| Career | 318-278 (.534) | 145-119 (.549) |