High School Team Feature – Klein Bearkats
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The high school season is going at full pace in the state of Texas and every team in the state has been on the court enough times for us to have a good idea about what to expect from them.…
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Continue ReadingThe high school season is going at full pace in the state of Texas and every team in the state has been on the court enough times for us to have a good idea about what to expect from them.
Here at PrepDig, we are committed to covering and promoting as many prospects as possible, from the most popular names to the hidden gems that typically abound at the Lone Star State and during the high school season we’re also doing it by featuring the teams they play at.
Every time we’re at the gym, we’re giving a good look at the teams on the court and we’ll try to feature as many as possible here in this space. Today’s piece will analyze the Klein Bearkats.
The Squad
The Bearkats changed a lot from their last campaign with the graduations of middle blocker Kierstyn McFall and right side Lydia Mesusan and the transfers of outside hitter Ariana Brown Ariana Brown 5'11" | OH Conroe | 2023 State TX to Conroe and middle blocker Zoe Humphrey Zoe Humphrey 6'2" | MB St. Pius X | 2024 State #32 Nation TX to St. Pius X. Middle blocker Faith Williams took the opposite route, arriving from Hays, and now forms the core of the team with Mikala Sampson Mikala Sampson 6'1" | MB Klein | 2023 State #109 Nation TX , Kinslee Smith Kinslee Smith 5'9" | S Klein | 2024 State TX and Rachel Heilbrun.
Key Players
Originally a middle blocker, Sampson started the season playing as an outside hitter in order to provide a more consistent offensive punch to the team. With her great size and impressive jumping, she’s been able to get the job done at the net, besides also offering a solid blocking presence at the pin. Sampson still needs to get more comfortable in serve-receive but that’s probably something that will happen as the season progresses.
Smith started the season sidelined because of an injury, but will offer a lot to the team when she’s able to get on the court. She produced north of 1,300 assists last season, but is a very versatile and well-rounded setter, who gets to help her team in different areas of the game. Her intelligent ball distribution and great understanding of the game will be extremely important as the team rebuilds its offensive system.
Rachel Heilbrun
Rachel Heilbrun
Heilbrun’s excellent all-around game certainly facilitates Sampson’s move to the outside hitter position as with her great backcourt skills, she’s able to take a lot of the defensive pressure off of her teammate. The 5’10” Heilbrun is strong at the net too, especially when she hits a quick, shortened set, but she truly makes the difference with her passing and defense, two skills she developed playing beach volleyball at the highest level.
Kiersten Hay
Kiersten Hay
Another senior, Hay gives Klein a lot of stability on the backcourt. The 5’5″ libero always looks very calm and focused on the court and that reflects on how well she executes her actions and makes decisions. She brings everything a coach would want from a libero as she’s consistent and reliable with her passing and defense and is also a productive server.
Faith Williams
Faith Williams
Williams’ arrival from Hays certainly gave Klein’s coaching staff the confidence they needed to move Sampson to the outside hitter position. She has great size and length and can easily make her presence felt at the net. Williams has excellent range with her blocking and is also productive on offense, making contact with the ball at a very high point and hitting it hard.