On a back line built on communication and trust, Bixby High School center back Kate Bulleigh is the one quietly holding everything together. The Lady Spartans defender, who anchors the varsity backfield, said the strength of the program starts with how connected the players are to one another.
“I love how it feels like a family,” Bulleigh said. “I love every single person on this team like my sister.”
Bulleigh, who also is a member of the National Honor Society, brings a thoughtful, analytical approach to the game that mirrors her favorite subject in the classroom. “Math is my favorite and I loved having Mrs. Hansen as my teacher for two years,” she said.
On the field, Bulleigh plays one of soccer’s most demanding positions. “I play center back,” she said. “The hardest part of my position is probably finding the gaps quickly and learning to always shift when being pressured.” That constant problem-solving and quick decision-making have become hallmarks of her game as Bixby continues to compete against some of the top programs in the area.
Her drive to improve traces back to long days growing up and playing alongside her older sisters. “Someone that inspires me is my older sisters,” Bulleigh said. “I grew up playing with them and they always were helping me to get better.”
Representing Bixby, she said, is about more than just the name on the jersey. “I love our Bixby program. We work so hard and have such an amazing community supporting us,” Bulleigh said. “Bixby is a name that I am proud to represent.”
Away from high school soccer, Bulleigh rarely slows down. “I love playing any sport honestly,” she said. “Pickleball, beach volleyball, hacky sack, basketball, and ping pong have been what I’ve been playing recently.”
She credits teammates for shaping the team’s personality, noting Kiera as a key voice on the field and Sadie as the one who “has helped the team be in a good mood and get hyped before games.” Those personalities, she said, mesh with her own focus and calm under pressure.
Bulleigh believes the lessons she has learned through athletics will last long after her high school career ends. “Athletics has taught me to not give up even when it’s hard,” she said. “You can be losing in a game but instead of quitting you push through and be the impact that can change the end result.”
That mindset shows in her goals for continued growth. “I think a strength of mine is being able to keep my stamina throughout the whole game,” Bulleigh said. “Something I’m trying to work on is playing the ball faster.”
