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.”
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The crew will be led by Colorado-commit Sydney Jordan, who was a first-team, all-district pick a year ago. Jordan led the team with 396 kills (2.9/set) and chipped in a third-best 490 digs. Mississippi State-commit Arissa Smith was named second-team, all-district after registering 187 kills and 85 blocks.
Other key returners include second team, all-district picks Josie Condrey and Lauren Battle, and honorable- mention selection Kennedi Rogers.
Watch out for Ava Thornquist at DS/Libero as well. The Panthers will have to find a setter to set up their big hitters in 2022.
Keys to success include “being mentally tough, working together, commanding the floor and positive communication” according to Bailey.
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