GAMES
RANKINGS
THE RANKINGS: Bar has been set high for No. 22 Barbers Hill
BARBERS HILL WENT 35-14 OVERALL A YEAR AGO AND REACHED THE AREA ROUND OF THE POSTSEASON.
Sixth-year coach Casey Veen (174-40 at Barbers Hill; 373-133 overall) returns three starters off that team as they seek a 24th-straight playoff appearance in 2025.
District 19-5A Newcomer of the Year Kenli Irwin is back after registering 565 kills, 301 digs, 69aces and 58 blocks. Irwin was also named GHVCA Newcomer of the Year and TGCA All-State.
Setter/Pin stars Baylee Foster (556 assists,86 aces, 71 kills) and Julianne Melancon (720 assists, 71 kills, 69 aces) are back after earning first-team, all-district team nods.
“This group communicates well, is extremely competitive, and has played together in years past, but this will be a learning curve playing on varsity for some. If the team can play smart, but not scared, and apply pressure to our opponents, then we will continue our tradition of success,” Veen said.
The stars of 2024-25 Barbers Hill Volleyball
TAKING FLIGHT: No. 3 Barbers Hill could be on the brink of State contention
NO. 3 -- BARBERS HILL EAGLES
Head Coach: Casey Veen
2023: 42-8/Region III-5A Finalists
Barbers Hill was on the fringe of reaching the UIL-5A State Tournament a year ago, but fell just short in the Regional Final against Fulshear, and finished the year 42-8 overall.
Casey Veen enters her fifth season leading Barbers Hill and returns two starters off the 2023 squad.
First-team, all-district pick Kynlea Gibbs is back after racking up more than 400 kills a year ago. Gibbs is a strong lefty on the right side and will be key at the net for the Eagles this season.
Ada Ingvardsen (Oklahoma Baptist-commit) is coming off a second-team, all-district campaign. Ingvardsen will move from defensive specialist to the libero role for 2024. “She is fast and anticipates well,” Veen said.
Kenli Irwin is one to watch in the middle and was pulled up off the JV squad towards the end of last season. Her explosiveness and volleyball IQ will play a vital role for the Eagles.
Also watch out for Carly Abseck, who will have a bigger role as she plays as a defensive specialist in 2024.
Keys to success include, “keeping the BH Standard the Standard, Trust and Intensity”, according to Veen.