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If there is any pressure on the Lady Bearkats returning to the state finals as they did last year, they certainly are not showing yet.
The team is currently ranked No. 2 by the Texas Girls Coaches Association preseason rankings and the Lady Bearkats are expected to find themselves back in the finals this season.
Last year, the Lady Bearkats went 27-1 overall, and 12-0 in district play, winning the District 15-6A championship ahead of powerhouses Klein Cain, Tomball Memorial and Tomball High.
Junior Rachel Heilbrun expects this season to go in similar fashion for the team and she is looking forward to contributing to the team’s success.
"I think I bring a lot of energy and encouragement to the team," Heilbrun told VYPE Houston.
Heilbrun began her career as a stout defender and has now transitioned as a dynamic offensive star for the Lady Bearkats.
SFA, HBU and Louisiana-Monroe have all shown interest in recruiting Heilbrun to play at their programs.
Volleyball prowess runs in the family as Heilbrun's mother enjoyed a stellar career as one of Sam Houston State's greatest volleyball players.
Heilbrun was injured three weeks into last season when she broke her elbow on dive, but that hasn’t stopped her from being noticed by schools throughout the country and she is also an avid outdoor player in the beach circuit, according to The Houston Chronicle.
Head Coach Kate Zora said that Heilbrun is expected to make a big contribution to the team this season and will eventually find a school that suits her well.
“I know in the beach world she’s getting recruited by like some of the top 15 schools in the nation,” Zora said. “So, she’s getting a lot of big looks.”