FOREVER A BEAR
11/3/2022 1:00:00 PM | Volleyball, Champions' TriBUne
My Journey as an Athlete and Christ Follower Go Hand-in-Hand
Champions' TriBUne Archive
By: Kara McGhee
Champions' TriBUne is a special feature through Baylor Athletics that gives you the student-athlete's perspective and the chance for them to share their own story. Kara McGhee, a four-year starting middle blocker, was a freshman on Baylor volleyball's 29-2 team that shared the Big 12 championship and reached the Final Four. The senior communications major from San Antonio, Texas, was a first-team All-Big 12 pick in 2020 and is ranked in the top 20 nationally in blocks (6th, 132) and hitting percentage (17th, .401). Up to No. 11 in the latest AVCA rankings, Baylor (20-4, 9-2) hosts Kansas (16-7, 6-5) at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Ferrell Center:
The Christian faith has been a big part of my life ever since I can remember. I grew up in the church going to Sunday school and partaking in in BSF on Wednesday evenings. As a young kid in the church, it was easy for me to believe and go along with everything I was told because I had yet to form my own opinions. I remember the first time I made my own decision on Jesus Christ. I was about 9 years old, and I was in the car after Sunday school. My mom was driving, and she was talking about the upcoming election with my father. It got me thinking about the qualities I pictured a great leader having. Some of the qualities were compassion, forgiveness, kindness and humility. With my next thought, you could almost see the light bulb go off. I thought of Jesus and how he had all those qualities, and that was the first time I really decided on my own that I respected Jesus.
While I made up my mind about Jesus at 9, it took a bit longer with my heart that I actually wanted to do more than believe he was a great leader. At the age of 15, I was an angry, rebellious teenager. I believed what the church taught about God and consistently attended church every Sunday with my family. I continued to learn more about the gospel, but it made no more of an impact on my life than my geometry class. That all changed one Sunday morning when I was sitting in church boiling with anger over something I cannot even remember. I decided there in the pew that I had to change. I already believed God loved me, knew me and created me for a purpose. So, why not get to know him? I went home that day and got out my Bible and a blank sheet of paper. While listening to worship music, I wrote a prayer of surrender to the Lord. I knew so much of God, but it was not until that night that my heart was opened to listening to Him. I asked for forgiveness and trusted He would grant it. I thanked Him for sending His son to die on the cross for my sins and was honest with God about where I was at in life. Since that night, I have not been the same. The Holy Spirit came inside of me and changed me for the better. My heart has been softened and my eyes opened to the power and goodness of my God.
I have played volleyball since I was 12. And at 13, I had my first-ever travel tournament for volleyball. I was not very good, so to be able to be on a team that traveled for volleyball was a big deal for me. On the way from my hometown of San Antonio to Dallas, we passed by Baylor University. My dad pointed out the campus from our car. And as I looked out the window, I felt in my heart like Baylor was going to be a big part of my story. At that point, there was no sign of me getting an athletic scholarship, and I knew my parents wouldn't pay for me to go to a private school. So, I didn't think much of it. A year later, I was getting recruited, and a year after that I was committed to play volleyball at Baylor. Looking back, I think that was the first time God really spoke to me. It gives me chills to see how God was working in my life, even when I was ignoring Him.
My journey as an athlete and as a Christ follower go hand-in-hand. I would not be where I am today if it were not for God's presence in my life. I have been able to grow and compete at a high level because of the freedom I feel, being secure in my identity in Christ. The hope I have in who God is and who He created me to be outshines any worries about my performance on the court. With that being said, my time at Baylor has not been easy, but it has been fruitful. The Baylor program as a whole has taught me so much about volleyball, faith and hard work. When I came to Baylor at 17, I got to be a part of a much older team. With seven amazing seniors, I saw great leadership play out in amazing ways. Our player-led team in 2019 reached the Final Four and broke all kinds of school records. What was, obviously, an amazing year for Baylor volleyball was a mentally challenging year for me as a freshman. I found navigating faith, sports, academics and mental health to be nearly impossible. The biggest thing I learned in that time was that we are not meant to go through things alone. I had a community to lean on in my Baylor family, and they helped me through my hard times.
Now in my senior year at Baylor, a lot has changed. We have almost a whole new staff besides head coach Ryan McGuyre. Our team is a lot smaller compared to how it was in the past and is mostly underclassmen. While there were a lot of changes coming into my senior season, this year has been the most special. This is the last year I will ever be able to play next to my younger sister, Elise. She is not only my sister but my best friend and roommate. We have done everything together since a young age, and these last few months that I get with her have been bittersweet. I thank God constantly for allowing me to play alongside Elise. Knowing it is the last season I will put on the Baylor jersey or practice in the Ferrell Center, I really came into it wanting to give everything I have to my teammates. I love these girls and the fun times we have together. This is by far the funniest team I have ever been on, and I really enjoy our quality time together off the court.
Baylor is such a special place, and I am honored to have been a part of it these past four years. I love the people and the way God is moving through this school. God has used my time at Baylor to stretch me for the next stages of my life, and I will forever to be thankful to call myself a Baylor Bear.
By: Kara McGhee
Champions' TriBUne is a special feature through Baylor Athletics that gives you the student-athlete's perspective and the chance for them to share their own story. Kara McGhee, a four-year starting middle blocker, was a freshman on Baylor volleyball's 29-2 team that shared the Big 12 championship and reached the Final Four. The senior communications major from San Antonio, Texas, was a first-team All-Big 12 pick in 2020 and is ranked in the top 20 nationally in blocks (6th, 132) and hitting percentage (17th, .401). Up to No. 11 in the latest AVCA rankings, Baylor (20-4, 9-2) hosts Kansas (16-7, 6-5) at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Ferrell Center:
The Christian faith has been a big part of my life ever since I can remember. I grew up in the church going to Sunday school and partaking in in BSF on Wednesday evenings. As a young kid in the church, it was easy for me to believe and go along with everything I was told because I had yet to form my own opinions. I remember the first time I made my own decision on Jesus Christ. I was about 9 years old, and I was in the car after Sunday school. My mom was driving, and she was talking about the upcoming election with my father. It got me thinking about the qualities I pictured a great leader having. Some of the qualities were compassion, forgiveness, kindness and humility. With my next thought, you could almost see the light bulb go off. I thought of Jesus and how he had all those qualities, and that was the first time I really decided on my own that I respected Jesus.
While I made up my mind about Jesus at 9, it took a bit longer with my heart that I actually wanted to do more than believe he was a great leader. At the age of 15, I was an angry, rebellious teenager. I believed what the church taught about God and consistently attended church every Sunday with my family. I continued to learn more about the gospel, but it made no more of an impact on my life than my geometry class. That all changed one Sunday morning when I was sitting in church boiling with anger over something I cannot even remember. I decided there in the pew that I had to change. I already believed God loved me, knew me and created me for a purpose. So, why not get to know him? I went home that day and got out my Bible and a blank sheet of paper. While listening to worship music, I wrote a prayer of surrender to the Lord. I knew so much of God, but it was not until that night that my heart was opened to listening to Him. I asked for forgiveness and trusted He would grant it. I thanked Him for sending His son to die on the cross for my sins and was honest with God about where I was at in life. Since that night, I have not been the same. The Holy Spirit came inside of me and changed me for the better. My heart has been softened and my eyes opened to the power and goodness of my God.
I have played volleyball since I was 12. And at 13, I had my first-ever travel tournament for volleyball. I was not very good, so to be able to be on a team that traveled for volleyball was a big deal for me. On the way from my hometown of San Antonio to Dallas, we passed by Baylor University. My dad pointed out the campus from our car. And as I looked out the window, I felt in my heart like Baylor was going to be a big part of my story. At that point, there was no sign of me getting an athletic scholarship, and I knew my parents wouldn't pay for me to go to a private school. So, I didn't think much of it. A year later, I was getting recruited, and a year after that I was committed to play volleyball at Baylor. Looking back, I think that was the first time God really spoke to me. It gives me chills to see how God was working in my life, even when I was ignoring Him.
My journey as an athlete and as a Christ follower go hand-in-hand. I would not be where I am today if it were not for God's presence in my life. I have been able to grow and compete at a high level because of the freedom I feel, being secure in my identity in Christ. The hope I have in who God is and who He created me to be outshines any worries about my performance on the court. With that being said, my time at Baylor has not been easy, but it has been fruitful. The Baylor program as a whole has taught me so much about volleyball, faith and hard work. When I came to Baylor at 17, I got to be a part of a much older team. With seven amazing seniors, I saw great leadership play out in amazing ways. Our player-led team in 2019 reached the Final Four and broke all kinds of school records. What was, obviously, an amazing year for Baylor volleyball was a mentally challenging year for me as a freshman. I found navigating faith, sports, academics and mental health to be nearly impossible. The biggest thing I learned in that time was that we are not meant to go through things alone. I had a community to lean on in my Baylor family, and they helped me through my hard times.
Now in my senior year at Baylor, a lot has changed. We have almost a whole new staff besides head coach Ryan McGuyre. Our team is a lot smaller compared to how it was in the past and is mostly underclassmen. While there were a lot of changes coming into my senior season, this year has been the most special. This is the last year I will ever be able to play next to my younger sister, Elise. She is not only my sister but my best friend and roommate. We have done everything together since a young age, and these last few months that I get with her have been bittersweet. I thank God constantly for allowing me to play alongside Elise. Knowing it is the last season I will put on the Baylor jersey or practice in the Ferrell Center, I really came into it wanting to give everything I have to my teammates. I love these girls and the fun times we have together. This is by far the funniest team I have ever been on, and I really enjoy our quality time together off the court.
Baylor is such a special place, and I am honored to have been a part of it these past four years. I love the people and the way God is moving through this school. God has used my time at Baylor to stretch me for the next stages of my life, and I will forever to be thankful to call myself a Baylor Bear.
Baylor Football: Weekly Press Conference with Dave Aranda | October 27, 2025
Monday, October 27
Baylor Soccer: Highlights at Houston | October 26, 2025
Monday, October 27
Baylor Football: Postgame Press Conference at Cincinnati | October 25, 2025
Sunday, October 26
Baylor Football: Condensed Game at Cincinnati | October 25, 2025
Saturday, October 25
