High School Spotlight: Bridgeland Bears
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The high school volleyball season is underway in Texas and talented young players have been showcasing their skills in every corner of the Lone Star state. One of our missions at Prep Dig is to highlight as many teams and…
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Continue ReadingThe high school volleyball season is underway in Texas and talented young players have been showcasing their skills in every corner of the Lone Star state.
One of our missions at Prep Dig is to highlight as many teams and prospects as possible around the state, from State Championship contenders and household names to underdogs and special talents who might be flying under-the-radar.
We spend a lot of time at the gyms gathering information and watching matches and will use this space to highlight some of the teams and players we got to watch in person. It’s time we shout out the Bridgeland Bears.
Bridgeland Bears
The Lady Bears represent the Bridgeland High School from the Cypress region in the Greater Houston area. The team has just concluded the regular season in strong fashion, securing a 32-11 win record. Head coach Verena Khalil and her players also did a great job in district play, securing 11 victories and just two losses to rank second in the Class 6A, Region II – District 16.
Varsity’s White Lies shirts from practice today! #BridgelandBest 🤞🏻🏐 pic.twitter.com/s82uOmf03g
— BridgelandVB (@BridgelandVB) October 26, 2021
Players to Watch:
Mallorie Garner Mallorie Garner 5'11" | OH Bridgeland | 2022 State TX – Outside Hitter – Club: TAV Houston – 2022
An athletic and skilled player, Mallorie Garner Mallorie Garner 5'11" | OH Bridgeland | 2022 State TX is arguably the centerpiece of Bridgeland’s game due to her complete and typically error-free game. At the net, the 6’1” outside hitter uses her power, reach and great understanding of the game to score in bunches – she’s particularly efficient when hitting line. On the backcourt, her cerebral playing style and superior technique make of her a really valuable asset for the Lady Bears. Ranked 99th in our 2022 Prep Dig State Rankings, Garner leads her team in kills (382), ranks second in aces (34) and passes (469) and third in digs (346).
Kennedy Kays Kennedy Kays 6'2" | OH Bridgeland | 2023 State TX – Outside Hitter – Club: Houston Skyline – 2023
Kennedy Kays Kennedy Kays 6'2" | OH Bridgeland | 2023 State TX offers a complimentary skillset to Garner’s at the pin for Bridgeland. Currently listed at 6’2”, she truly looks taller than that because of her long arms and physical tools. She’s a heavy-armed outside hitter for the Lady Bears who gets the ball on the floor no matter what. Even though her athleticism is probably her most glaring strength, Kays is also a very intelligent player, something that is easy to notice with her smart choices on offense. She’s also an excellent blocker and part of it is due to her unwavering focus when at the net. Ranked 21st in our 2023 Prep Dig State Rankings, she has already produced 352 kills, 202 passes, 126 digs and 37 blocks for the team.
Alice Volpe Alice Volpe 5'5" | DS/L Bridgeland | 2024 State #83 Nation TX – Libero – Club: Houston Juniors – 2024
With such a strong duo of pin hitters, it’s easy to understand Bridgeland’s offensive power. Their defensive stability, on the other hand, should be credited in great part to Alice Volpe Alice Volpe 5'5" | DS/L Bridgeland | 2024 State #83 Nation TX . The second-year libero is the Lady Bears’ floor general, leading the team’s defensive system with a lot of grind and, typically, a smile on her face. Her excellent ball control and great overall skills have been recognized twice this past summer as she made it to both the USA Volleyball’s inaugural National Team Development Program (NTDP) Summer Training Series and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Phenom List. Ranked 30th in our 2024 Prep Dig State Rankings, the 5’6” libero leads Bridgeland in both digs (610) and passes (544) and ranks third in aces (32).