By Michael Adams 
michael@otssports.com 

SAN ANTONIO – As junior Annie Witt slammed home the match-winning kill in Saturday’s 5A-Region IV final to send the Lady Panthers back to the University Interscholastic League state volleyball tournament, head coach Marie Bruce just smiled and immediately walked over to shake hands with Rouse head coach Jacob Thompson. 

There was no jumping in joy or arms raised, as most coaches would in that situation. There was just her signature smile. Bruce simply waited and let her team celebrate their moment, which is exactly how she wants it. Because in her words, the players celebrate each other. 

More coverage 

• Video: See highlights from Saturday’s regional final
• Photo gallery: See photos from Liberty Hill vs. Rouse
• Story: Liberty Hill sweeps Rouse to return to UIL Class 5A state tournament
• Parings: Complete pairings for this weekend’s UIL state volleyball tournament

It’s hard to ignore the impact Bruce has had on the Liberty Hill volleyball program. In her short two years at the helm of the Lady Panthers, Bruce has accumulated an impressive 87-19 record with two district titles and two state tournament appearances. 

The rarity in all this celebration is that in her first two years as head coach of Liberty Hill’s volleyball program, Bruce has led the Lady Panthers to back-to-back state tournament appearances.

When I asked Bruce if she was setting the bar too high, she laughed and said, “maybe.” 

That’s not to say there hasn’t always been a winning tradition at Liberty Hill, just not to the magnitude of a coach taking over a program and leading it to back-to-back state tournament appearances in her first two seasons. 

in fact, the Lady Panthers will make their fifth state tournament appearance on Friday, but only their second in Class 5A.

Former head coach Gretchen Peterson put together several winning programs and led Liberty Hill to the Class 4A state tournament in 2014, 16 and 17 and won five district championships. 

Liberty Hill’s state tournament history

year	result
2022	L 3-0 to Frisco Reedy in semifinals
2017	L 3-1 to Needville* in semifinals
2016	L 3-0 to Bushland* in semifinals
2014	L 3-0 to Argyle in semifinals

Bruce and her Lady Panthers have the opportunity at the state tournament to do something that’s never been done before by a Liberty Hill volleyball team, reach the state championship match. But don’t let Bruce know you’re looking that far ahead.

“We take it one game at a time,” Bruce said. “We’re just trying to get better every day, and that’s all I’m focused on.”

That may be true, but it’s hard to ignore the visible culture enhancements Bruce has brought to Liberty Hill.  Her players say their coach brings something special to the team. 

“She’s been nothing but the best coach ever,” said junior outside hitter Taylor Gaines, who is a two-year varsity starter. “I don’t think I could ask for a better coach. She gives us so much feedback, and just on and off the court, she’s just a good person, and I love her so much.”  

In Saturday’s regional final, the Lady Panthers looked invincible against a very talented Rouse team. The Raiders’ big hitters couldn’t get the ball past Liberty Hill’s front line of Evie Bruce, Gaines, Aubrey Hughes, Ava Kostroun and Kealy Dirner. 

What was even more noticeable was the communication between the players on each play, the support they gave each other, and the way they celebrated as a team. There were no individuals, just one cohesive unit that looked every bit the part of a state champion. 

The Lady Panthers (45-8) have a tall task ahead at the state tournament if they want to make school history. Liberty Hill takes on defending state champion Colleyville Heritage in the first Class 5A semifinal at 11 a.m. at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland. 

Regardless of what happens on Friday, Liberty Hill’s road to the state tournament has been one of sheer dominance from a team making its second straight appearance in Garland.