The inaugural Bradley Volleyball Need for Speed event took place Saturday, March 25, 2023, at the Renaissance Coliseum on Bradley's campus. With 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Bradley Volleyball program, the event saw all 2023 team members and coaches take their best swings in support of the Braves.
 
The pace was set early with the Volleyball coaching staff. Each hitter was allowed 10 swings in an effort to record their fastest attack in miles per hour. Utilizing state-of-the-art speed guns and digital tracking, fastest balls were logged throughout the event. Donors then pledged a specified amount "per mph" in support of their chosen hitter. Asst. Coach William Tatge had the fastest ball from the coaching staff clocking in at 59mph.  Sophomore Outside Hitter Silan Demirkol clocked the fastest ball from student-athletes at 56mp.  Several other Braves student-athletes surpassed the 50mph mark including Junior Outside Hitter Jasmine Green, Junior Opposite Hitter Abby Johnson, and Junior Outside Hitter Doga Topcicek.  In total, 16 hitters took their best swing during the event and the average "fastest ball" clocked in at over 47mph.
 
Head Volleyball Coach Alicia Williams said, "The Need for Speed event was a great way to kick off the 2023 season. It was the chance for our players to have some fun and show off their skills with support from family, friends and Bradley Volleyball donors. We look forward to keeping up the tradition of the event!" 
 
The Need for Speed event has become a fun and engaging way to support the Volleyball Program. Partnering with CUE Audio and utilizing their "Pledge Per" technology, this year's event saw 74 donors make pledges "per mph," resulting in $10,259 raised for the program. Sr. Assoc. Athletic Director of Development J Locklier added, "This was a great day for Bradley Volleyball. This event is such a fun and unique way to support and engage with the program. The amount of support shown for our student-athletes was tremendous and we can't thank the families, friends, alumni and donors of Bradley Volleyball enough!"
 
See below for a listing of each participants "fastest ball":
 
Karina Simatos #2 - 42mph
Karagan Coggin #3 - 40mph
Gianna Ptaszek #4 - 45mph
Maddie Peterson #7 - 40mph
Jasmine Green #10 - 53mph
Abby Johnson #11 - 54mph
McKenna Scheib #12 - 44mph
Kaylenn Hunt #13 - 46mph
Loren Scott #15 - 40mph
Doga Topcicek #17 - 54mph
Kendall Minta #21 - 42mph
Silan Demirkol #23 - 56mph
Head Coach Alicia Williams - 48mph
Asst. Coach Hope Werch - 51mph
Asst. Coach William Tatge - 59 mph
Strength & Conditioning Coach Josie Jay - 45mph