11/11/2026 1:07:00 PM | Women's Soccer
"We are excited to have another outstanding class of soccer players and people joining our Flames Soccer Family. This group provides a great mix of intelligent and crafty soccer players, excellent athletes, and people of great character."
The Lady Flames will be welcoming Ashlyn Bass (Raleigh, N.C.), Leah Bradley (Carolina Beach, N.C.), Joey Devlin (Bloomsburg, Pa.), Laikyn Funk (Salem, Va.), Olena Kuhau-Liftee (Kahalu'u, Hawaii), Tia LaBrecque (Raynham, Mass.), Chelsey Tumey (Phoenix, Ariz.).
Before the next signing class joins the team in 2027, Liberty is in the midst of competing for a second consecutive Conference USA title at the 2026 CUSA Championship.
Both LaBrecque and Tumey participated for the United States Women's Deaf National Team. Representing the nation, they earned a gold medal in 2025, beating host nation Tokyo, 4-0.
Ashlyn Bass – Defender – Raleigh, N.C. – Crossroads FLEX High School
Bass is a defender from Raleigh, N.C. who played with NCFC Youth (North Carolina Football Club) and NC Courage. She has been playing with the programs since 2015.
Welcome to the Mountain, Ashlyn Bass! ??? Joining us from Raleigh, N.C., Ashlyn brings versatility and attacking ability after competing with NCFC Youth and NC Courage. ?? Coach Wedemeyer: "Ash is a versatile attacking flank player who is comfortable as an outside back or a winger. She loves attacking and taking players with dangerous forays up the channels." #ALLIN
— Liberty Women's Soccer (@LibertyWSoccer) November 11, 2026
Bass comes from a family that "lives, eats and breathes soccer". Her mom, Mikel, played Division I soccer at Charlotte and now coaches at NCFC. Her sister, Madison, currently plays for UNCG
"I chose to play with Liberty because it is more than a school to play soccer at," Bass said. "It is a family that supports and pushes each other to be the best, on and off the field!"
She is the fourth signing from NCFC Youth to the program, which includes Chloe Marr, Haleigh Arostegui and Megan Hagan.
Wedemeyer- Ash is a versatile attacking flank player who is comfortable as an outside back or a winger. She loves attacking and taking players with dangerous forays up the channels.
Leah Bradley – Goalkeeper – Carolina Beach, N.C. – Eugene Ashley High School
Bradley is a goalkeeper from Carolina Beach, N.C. and played for Eugene Ashley, Pleasure Island Soccer Association (PISA) Wilmington Hammerheads SC.
She also participated for the Philippines U17 Women's National team from 2023-26 and played with the training pool for the Senior National team.
International experience is coming to the Mountain! ???? The Carolina Beach, N.C., native joins the Lady Flames after representing the Philippines U17 Women's National Team from 2023-26. ?? Coach Wedemeyer: "Leah has great competitive spirit, athleticism, and presence, making her a standout in goal. She has a tremendous work ethic and dedication to development." #ALLIN
— Liberty Women's Soccer (@LibertyWSoccer) November 11, 2026
Bradley led her team to become finalists in the ECNL Mid-Atlantic Cup in back-to-back years (2025-26).
Leah played with her sister, Kieran, on the Philippine National team and currently plays at Xavier. Her older sister, Marea, currently plays for Division ll Belmont Abbey.
A multi-sport athlete, Leah has also played beach volleyball, lacrosse and basketball, with surfing and snowboarding as lifelong hobbies.
"I chose Liberty because I was drawn to the strong faith, passion, and culture surrounding the program," Bradley said. "The commitment to compete at a high level while keeping Christ at the heart of it all is something that really stood out to me. I'm excited for the opportunity to be challenged, grow as a person and player, and continue strengthening my faith."
Wedemeyer- Leah has great competitive spirit, athleticism, and presence, making her a standout in goal. She has a tremendous work ethic and dedication to development.
Joey Devlin – Midfielder – Bloomsburg, Pa. – Central Columbia High School
Devlin is a midfielder from Bloomsburg, Pa., who played for Central Columbia and Pennsylvania Classics GA and Pennsylvania FC 20.
A proven playmaker is headed to the Mountain! ??? The Bloomsburg, Pa., native totaled 115 goals and 61 assists during her high school career while earning All-State honors. ?? Coach Wedemeyer: "Joey is a soccer junkie. She constantly has a ball at her feet and has a great passion for the game. She has a terrific soccer mind and will be an asset for us in the midfield next year." #ALLIN
— Liberty Women's Soccer (@LibertyWSoccer) November 11, 2026
A three-time team captain, she totaled 115 goals and 61 assists through high school. Devlin was awarded All-State honors after her junior campaign and was named to the All-Conference and All-Area first team in her sophomore season.
With her club teams, she also contributed to a GA North Division Championship (2025/26), a WPSL Mid-Atlantic Conference Championship (2026) and a U19 NCS State Cup Championship in 2024.
Devlin was selected to play internationally with the Capelli Sport Plus North America team in 2025.
A multi-sport athlete, Devlin also participated in basketball and track & field.
"I chose Liberty because everything is centered around faith and glorifying God," Devlin said. "I felt that Liberty is the place where I will not only grow as a player and person, but where my relationship with the Lord will grow as well. I am so thankful that He gave me the opportunity to choose Liberty."
Wedemeyer- Joey is a soccer junkie. She constantly has a ball at her feet and has a great passion for the game. She has a terrific soccer mind and will be an asset for us in the midfield next year.
Laikyn Funk – Midfielder – Salem, Va. – Salem High School
Funk is a midfielder who played for Salem, Virginia United (2020-25) and NC Fusion ECNL (2025, 26).
Staying in the Commonwealth! ??? The Salem, Va., native brings championship experience to Liberty after helping her squad capture the 2025 ECNL National Championship. ?? Coach Wedemeyer: "Laikyn is another soccer junkie who loves watching and analyzing the game. Her skill on the ball allows her to be great at linking lines in midfield and playing that final pass to break down an opponent." #ALLIN
— Liberty Women's Soccer (@LibertyWSoccer) November 11, 2026
The midfielder was named to the All-Region team following her sophomore and junior seasons.
Funk helped lead her squad to an ECNL National Championship in 2025. She was selected to the ECNL All-Region league and the Mid-Atlantic All-Conference second team.
A multi-sport athlete, Funk also competed in gymnastics for four years.
"I chose Liberty because of the amazing coaching staff, outstanding facilities, and the positive team environment."
Wedemeyer- Laikyn is another soccer junkie who loves watching and analyzing the game. Her skill on the ball allows her to be great at linking lines in midfield and playing that final pass to break down an opponent.
Olena Kuhau-Liftee – Forward -- Kahalu'u, Hawaii – Kamehameha Kapalama Schools
Kuhau-Liftee is a forward who played for Kamehameha Kapalama and Leahi 09 Premier (2024-26).
From Hawaii to the Hill City! ???? The Kahalu'u, Hawaii, native joins the Lady Flames after helping lead her high school team to a 2025 state championship. ?? Coach Wedemeyer: "Olena will be a great attacking threat in any of our forward positions. Her speed, dynamic movement, and nose for goal will cause defenders lots of problems." #ALLIN
— Liberty Women's Soccer (@LibertyWSoccer) November 11, 2026
The forward led her team to become state champions in 2025 along with runners-up finished in each previous seasons.
With her club team, she led them to the U19 Oahu League Championship and Hawaii International Cup Champions in 2025.
A multi-sport athlete, Kuhau-Liftee led her track & field team to a runners-up finish in the 2025 state championships.
"I chose Liberty because God needed me there. He needed me to be in an environment that would allow me to grow through Him. I was offered a profound sense of belonging and a community that acts as an extension of family. Beyond that, I get to be surrounded by a team that is just as driven as I am; a group that will consistently push me to reach my fullest potential."
Wedemeyer- Olena will be a great attacking threat in any of our forward positions. Her speed, dynamic movement, and nose for goal will cause defenders lots of problems.
Tia LaBrecque – Midfielder – Raynham, Mass. – Bishop Feehan High School
LaBrecque is a midfielder from Raynham, Mass.. who played for Bishop Feehan and the NEFC 2009 GA Red Team.
A gold medalist is joining the Flames! ???? The Raynham, Mass., native helped the United States Women's Deaf National Team capture gold at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo, starting in the gold medal match. ?? Coach Wedemeyer: "Tia is a dynamic attacking player who is just as capable of beating players off the dribble as she is of making slick runs through seams to unlock compact defenses."
— Liberty Women's Soccer (@LibertyWSoccer) November 11, 2026
She helped lead Bishop Feehan to finish as a finalist in the MA Division I Playoffs in 2023 and 2024. Between 2024 and 2025, LaBrecque was named to the EMASS All-Star First Teams, Central catholic League All-Star teams, Sun Chronicle All-Star teams and the Soccer Wire Player to Watch list.
With her club team, she led her team to the 2025 GA National Championship Final. LaBrecque was named a 2025 GA National Talent ID Star, the GA/MLS Next Generation Adidas Cup, and a GA Northeast Talent ID All-Star.
Born deaf with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in both her ears, LaBrecque traveled to the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan. She started in the Gold Medal game, leading her squad to top Japan 4-0. She was the youngest on the team. Previously, she participated with the team in a 15-player summer training camp.
LaBrecque also competed in track, where she finished second in the MIAA D2 State Divisionals, was a silver medalist in the 4x400 and was named the Bishop Feehan Rookie of the Year in 2024.
"I chose Liberty due to its strong sense of community and the opportunities it offers on and off the soccer field, LaBrecque said. "I committed to Liberty because I know it's a place where I can grow as a player, student, and person while being surrounded by people who share my values and push me to be the best!"
Wedemeyer- Tia is a dynamic attacking player who is just as capable of beating players off the dribble as she is of making slick runs through seams to unlock compact defenses.
Chelsey Tumey – Defender – Phoenix, Ariz. – Sunrise Mountain High School
Tumey is a defender from Phoenix, Ariz., who played for Sunrise Mountain (Sophomore year), CCV Stars and SC Del Sol.
Another champion is headed to Lynchburg! ???? The Phoenix, Ariz., native joins Liberty after helping the United States Women's Deaf National Team earn gold at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo. ?? Coach Wedemeyer: "Chelsey is a steady center back who reads the game incredibly well, has outstanding positioning, and is composed under pressure." #ALLIN
— Liberty Women's Soccer (@LibertyWSoccer) November 11, 2026
In her lone season with Sunrise Mountain, she was named the Defensive Player of the Year and the All-Region First Team. She helped lead her squad to a third-place finish in the 5A playoffs.
Tumey traveled to the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan, helping lead her squad to best hosting Japan, 4-0. She was the youngest on the team. Previously, she participated with the team in a 15-player summer training camp.
With her club, Tumey led her squad to a GA National final, the GA Champions Cup final and three-time Southwest Conference champions. She was named the Team MVP, top attacker and team captain in 2022.
From an athletic background, her dad, Matthew, played soccer at NAIA Indiana Wesleyan.
She represents a signing from SC Del Sol for the third consecutive season. Liberty previously signed Presley Kaiser (2025) and Bella Myrmel (2026).
"I chose to be a Flame because I wanted to play collegiate soccer at a high level while growing my faith in God, Tumey said. "I fell in love with Liberty University and knew right away that it was where I was meant to be for the next four years!".
Wedemeyer- Chelsey is a steady center back who reads the game incredibly well, has outstanding positioning, and is composed under pressure.
