Lady Bears open season with veteran core

BASTROP — The Bastrop Lady Bears varsity volleyball team opens the 2025-26 season with an eye on improving last year’s 15-25 overall record and 4-10 district finish.

The team returns several key players, including senior middle hitter Keyiara Limuel Washington, senior outside hitter Avery Gonzales and senior libero Abby Thomas, who will anchor the defense and provide veteran leadership.

Head coach Morgan Rollins will also look for new contributors after losing seniors Lacey Sullivant, Perri Lowe, Rylee Romney and Emma Griensenbeck to graduation this spring.

Bastrop’s non-district schedule features its annual #DoIt4CMH match against Pflugerville Connally Aug. 19. The game honors former Lady Bears player Caitlyn Harmen, who died in 2020. The team will then host a tournament Aug. 21-23 before traveling to Lexington Aug. 26.

The Lady Bears opened the season after press time Aug. 12 against rival Elgin and will compete in the Austin Independent School District Jason Landers Classic this weekend.

District play begins at home against Austin Ann Richards Sept. 9, where Bastrop aims to set the tone for a competitive campaign.