Bridgeland is still a program in its infancy, but the Bears roared in 2021 to reach the State Tournament for the first time. To reach the final four, the Bears had to knock off a perennial power in The Woodlands in the Region II-6A Championship.

Now, what can the encore be?

The Bears do have some holes to fill off their 39-12 State qualifying squad with only three starters returning.

First-team, all-district picks Kennedy Kays (457 kills, 48 blocks) and Alice Volpe (820 digs) are set to be back. Volpe was also the District 16-6A co-Newcomer of the Year.

Second teamers included Olivia Waggoner (350 kills, 55 blocks) and Lauren McIntyre (Southwestern University-commit — 648 assists). Grace Orlando (472 digs) was an honorable- mention pick.

Keys to success for sixth-year coach Verena Khalil’s squad will be “aggressive defense, fast offense and having competitive teammates who always challenge each other in practices to get better every single day.”