Marion Athletics -

Kennedy Bullins waged an all-out assault on the Marion volleyball record books and accomplishments list during her four varsity seasons.

Next, she'll look to do the same at North Alabama.

Bullins officially signed with the Florence, Alabama, school on Friday morning at a well-attended ceremony in the Marion High School lobby.

“I'm overwhelmed with excitement; words can't express how excited I am to be able to play Division 1 volleyball for North Alabama,” Bullins said. “I can't wait to get there and start my journey there.”

“It has been a dream come true to coach someone like Kennedy Bullins,” Marion head volleyball coach Lisa Beasley said. “Whatever she did for volleyball aside, she was always what you see is what you get. Such a humble kid, a hard worker in the weight room, practice court, classroom, or rehab. This has always been a dream of hers, and it's so gratifying that she has made it happen for herself.”

Bullins is a member of the 1,000-kill club at Marion High School, and she earned three all-state nods, four times landed on the all-conference list, earned the 2025 Class 5A state finals MVP in Marion's five-set victory over Farmington for the school's fourth state championship, and “she's been nominated and selected for every All-Star game there is out there,” Beasley added.

Bullins began leaving her mark as a freshman, when she earned all-state honors and helped the Patriots to 21 victories, a conference runner-up finish, and a victory over Mountain Home at the state tournament.

There was no sophomore slump for Bullins, who bested her freshman totals in virtually every category en route to a second straight all-state selection as Marion earned an outright 5A East conference title, and another quarterfinal appearance in the Class 5A state tournament.

The 2024 season proved to be a pivotal one for Bullins after sustaining an injury over the summer, causing a slow start to her junior year before a September Achilles injury cost her the rest of the season.

“That would have been devastating for just about anyone, especially someone who loves the game as much as she does,” Beasley said. “But, she didn't really seem to get too down about it, honestly. You know she wanted to be out there, but she was involved with our team, she didn't carry it around with her, and she worked so hard to get back. It was kind of incredible.”

Bullins returned with a vengeance for her senior season, which proved to be bad news for the rest of the state.

Marion did not lose a match to an Arkansas team in 2025, including a remarkable 16-0 mark to win the 5A East conference outright for the second time in three years, and at least a share for the third straight season.

At the state tournament in Marion, the Patriots dismissed Sylvan Hills, Siloam Springs, and Van Buren in straight sets to qualify for the state final for the first time since 2016.

In a dramatic five-set victory over Farmington for the crown, Bullins earned Final MVP honors after recording 13 kills and six blocks as the Patriots won the final two sets for the fourth state title in program history.

“Playing here for Coach Beasley, Coach Williams, Coach K (Karla-Ann Norton), and Coach Neeley has been the best,” Bullins said. “They taught me everything they could possibly teach me, they always cared for me, they looked out for me. I'm so thankful for my experience here, and now I get to play Division 1 volleyball.”

North Alabama competes in the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN), which features Central Arkansas, among others.

The Lions finished 8-8 in 2025 in the ASUN standings.

“Everything on my visit just felt right,” Bullins said. “Just walking the campus, even before I met the coaches or players, everything about the school just felt like home. I loved it there, and I can't wait to get there."