CYPRESS NEWS REVIEW Presents
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The Lady Bears have made history at the youngest of CFISD’s 12 high schools, by reaching the state semifinals in the state volleyball tournament this year.
Address: Cypress Content Creation LLC, 9212 Fry Road, Suite 402, Cypress, Texas 77433 Billing: Address billing inquiries to: Creighton Holub, Publisher, publisher@cypressnewsreview.com About our news source: The CypressNewsReview.com is your independent, locally owned online source for news, information and sports in Cypress, Texas. Est. 2018. We’ve expanded and opened the WallerNews.com in 2021. Both the Cypress News Review and Waller News are part of Cypress Content Creation LLC, along with Holub Photography. Press releases: We accept press releases, but they are not guaranteed for publication. Press releases should be sent to info@cypresscontentcreation.com Disclaimer: This website, related social media outlets, and future expansions, are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Bridgeland Development, LP. BRIDGELAND® is a registered trademark of Bridgeland Development, LP.
The photos and articles in this special edition are courtesy of the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Communication Department, unless otherwise noted.
First ever By Creighton Holub, Cypress News Review CYPRESS — The Bridgeland Bear volleyball team dipped its toe into the varsity pool for the first time and held commanding leads over Clear Brook, but that grip slipped just too much in the season opener Tuesday (Aug. 7, 2018). The Bears took their first loss of the 2018 season as a learning experience, 29-27, 25-18, 25-23. “We’re coming away with that every time we play a team, it’s going to a good match and it’s going to be a game that we have to fight it out,” said Verena Khalil, the Bears’ head coach. “Nobody wants to lose to a young, up and coming school. So they’re going to be putting their best match forth, so we have to get onto that. We have to start playing varsity speed.” Since Bridgeland’s inception, the Bears have only been able to play at the sub-varsity levels. That all changed with the season opener. “With one match in the books, I’m excited for the growth that we can have this season,” Khalil added. “When you have a team that is all freshmen, sophomores and juniors, there is exponential room for us to improve and gain on skills and realize what the difference is from what we were playing before as a JV team — some of these girls were in 8th grade last year — to what kind of speed varsity is, and the kind of intensity and power we’re going to get from varsity hitters.” While proud of her entire roster, Khalil pointed to the outstanding efforts from a handful of her players: Emily Adams, team captain Katie Kessler, Emerson Sykes, Jessica Frannea and libero Makensie Garner. Team captain Garner’s on-the-court leadership paid off, as she boldly pleaded her team’s case to the referee and got two calls overturned and into the Bears’ favor. “She’s a leader on and off the court,” Khalil said of the junior. “Whatever she does in life, she does to the fullest extent.” Garner might have some experience leading the way, as her freshman sister, Mallorie, is also on the varsity squad. “The older I get, the more that I’ve learned to focus on defense,” the elder Garner sister said after the season opener. “I know that in my future, I’m most likely going to have to focus in on (defense). I try to be the best defender on my team because I know that it all
Varsity match starts with the pass. I’m there to support my team and be there for my team, and help get some digs to get them the kills.” COMMUNITY SUPPORT For a non-perennial powerhouse to open its season with pleasantly filled bleachers is a testament to the Bridgeland and Cypress community. “(The fans) are so great and super supportive,” said outside hitter Katie Kessler. “I know a lot of them like to come out and watch us and be part of our (Bridgeland) community.” The Bridgeland boys constantly cheered on the spikers for three long games. Then the JV squad settled in and apparent veteran cheerleaders got their corner of the stands loud and proud. With Bridgeland’s first class still in 11th grade, the spikers have no worries of losing starters with 2019 rolls around. “We tried our hardest, and we know it’s our first varsity game (today), and last year we played on JV,” said Adams, a sophomore outside hitter. “But next year, and the year after, will be our best years, because we will all be juniors and seniors. Even though this game didn’t go as planned, we can rise up in the next few games.” WHAT’S NEXT? Khalil and staff built the team’s schedule around getting ready for a grueling league season, filled with playoff-quality teams in District 14-6A. “We tried to find a bunch of teams that were in the playoffs last year, so that we could get that competition and set us up for our best path,” Khalil explained. “We’re a varsity team this year, and we have to step it up, and show that we have the ability. This is a very talented group of girls that play club (volleyball) all year round. They can do whatever they set their minds to.” Up next for the Bears — and several other Cypress-Fairbanks ISD teams — is the Katy tournament, which runs Thursday through Saturday. The tournament brackets will send teams through several gyms and high school locations, so parents and fans of any CFISD team need to stay attuned to their team’s progress after the opening salvo of action on Thursday. “I’m looking forward to a great season, and I think these girls can show Cy-Fair and Houston what they’re made of and compete this year,” Khalil concluded.
Bears get out TOMBALL, TX – The Bridgeland, Cypress Creek, Cy-Fair, Cypress Ranch and Cypress Woods high school volleyball teams advanced past the bi-district round of the UIL Class 6A playoffs and move on to the area round, while Langham Creek High School concluded its season. Bridgeland swept Tomball in three sets by the scores of 25-18, 25-11 and 25-13. The Bears will face The Woodlands
t the brooms College Park at 6 p.m. on Nov. 5 at Tomball Memorial High School (19100 Northpointe Ridge Lane). Cypress Woods defeated Tomball Memorial in four sets by the scores of 25-27, 25-17, 25-22 and 25-23. The Wildcats advance to play Conroe Oak Ridge at 5 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the Berry Center.
Bears are Regional
The Bridgeland High School volleyball team advanced past the area and region quarterfinal rounds of the Class 6A UIL playoffs to advance to the Region II tournament in Lufkin, while Cypress Woods High School concluded its season as region quarterfinalist. Cy-Fair, Cypress Creek and Cypress Ranch high schools ended their seasons as area finalists. Bridgeland defeated The Woodlands College Park in the area round in five sets by the scores of 25-23, 18-25, 26-24, 13-15 and 15-11. The Bears advanced to face Cypress Woods in the region quarterfinal on Nov. 9 at Cypress Springs High School. Bridgeland swept Cypress Woods in three sets by the scores of 25-16, 25-13 and 15-14. The Bears will face Garland Sachse in the Region II tournament semifinal at 6 p.m. on Nov. 12 at Lufkin High School (309 S. Medford Drive). If Bridgeland defeats Garland Sachse, the Bears will play the winner of The Woodlands and Mansfield at noon on Nov. 13 at Lufkin High
Tourney Bound!
School. This is the first time in program history the Bears have advanced to the region tournament.
“Our team is peaking at the exact right time of the season,” said Verena Khalil, Bridgeland head volleyball coach. “They have all been committed to our plan that every practice is a chance to get better before our next match. This group of young ladies have the best team chemistry, attitudes and joy for playing a sport they love. It is a really fun group of athletes to lead and I couldn’t be more proud that all of their hard work is paying off!” Cypress Woods defeated Conroe Oak Ridge in the area round in four sets by the scores of 25-23, 25-18, 21-25 and 25-17. The Wildcats advanced to face Bridgeland in the region quarterfinal. The Wildcats finish the season as area champions and region quarterfinalists. The Bobcats, Cougars and Mustangs all finished the season as area finalists.
Region Champs!
LUFKIN, TX – The Bridgeland High School volleyball team won the Region II-6A championship on Nov. 13, qualifying for the UIL Volleyball State Tournament for the first time in program history. The Bears swept Garland Sachse in the region semifinal in three sets by scores of 25-14, 25-12 and 25-22. The Bears advanced to face The Woodlands in the Region II-6A final. Bridgeland defeated The Woodlands in five sets by scores of 23-25, 25-20, 25-23, 16-25 and 15-13, clinching a spot at state. “This team can do anything it puts its mind to,” said Verena Khalil, Bridgeland head volleyball coach. “Making it to the state tournament for us means proving to everyone that even if you’re a new program and people don’t see you as having a ton of experience in the playoffs, you can do anything in a short period of time as long as the girls are willing to work— and this group of girls are willing to work. Our motto for this playoff run has been every single one of us has to be all-in, and we are all-in.” The Bears will face San Antonio Brandeis in the state semifinal at 5 p.m. on Nov. 19 at Garland ISD’s Curtis Culwell Center (4999 Naaman Forest Blvd.) “I never thought that this team would be headed to state,” said Bridgeland senior outside hitter Mallorie Garner. “This group of girls is incredible, and we have such good chemistry.”
Historic F
GARLAND, TX — The Bridgeland High School volleyball team finished its 2021 season as state semifinalist after falling to San Antonio Brandeis in the UIL Class 6A state semifinal on Nov. 19 at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland.
Bridgeland was defeated by San Antonio Brandeis in four sets by the scores of 18-25, 21-25, 25-19 and 21-25. The Bears finish the season with a 39-12 overall record. The 2021 season marked Bridgeland’s first trip to the state tournament. “This season was special,” said Verena Khalil, Bridgeland head volleyball coach. “I told the girls heading into the tournament ‘we’re a family so let’s play
First Trip
like one.’ This group was incredible at getting better at every practice. These ladies were committed to our mission and I couldn’t be prouder of what we accomplished this season.” For Bridgeland senior Emily Marks, the end of the 2021 season concludes four years as a varsity player and etches the team’s playoff run into the UIL record books. “It’s really an incredible feeling knowing that we will forever be remembered as the first Bridgeland team to make it to state,” Marks said. “I think it will also help the girls next season giving them confidence knowing that if people count them out or call them the underdogs, they have the fight to get where they want to be.”
Congratulations on a great season!
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