Although there have been plenty of summer tournaments, travel volleyball for the majority of the roster, and a couple of scrimmages since fall practice began, the Bridgeport High School volleyball team has not been on the court together in a match that counts since the Indians wrapped up the Class AAA state championship with a win against Herbert Hoover last November.
 
The Indians' title defense officially begins on Saturday as they head to the ultra-competitive Oak Glen tournament where amongst some other of the state's elite teams, they will face Herbert Hoover.
 
Once again, head coach Ali Burton has put together as tough a schedule as you will find in the state, as the Indians will compete in several talent-filled tournaments throughout the season, including their own on Sept. 13.
 
It's all part of the plan to get the team ready for the postseason where BHS figures to be a title contender again. Expectations are high and the Indians figure to get the "best" from their opponents every game, match and point.
 
"We already felt like we were everyone's Super Bowl but you win a state title, that's just amplified," Burton said. "It's hard because they are kids. They know we are not anywhere near the same team we are so it's just constantly reminding them that we are not expecting them to be that. We are a different team. And that's OK."
 
Lost to graduation were last year's state player of the year, Myleigh Smell, who was also a first-team all-state selection along with fellow senior Kaylee Enfield. Also gone are honorable mention all-state selection Calleigh Morgan and defensive spark plug Kloey Martinez.
 
However, five players who helped the team finish 52-9-2 and capture the school's second-ever state volleyball title are back.


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