It's nice when the cavalry rides not to the rescue, but to join the charge.

That's the case with the volleyball programs at Brazos Christian and St. Joseph, schools coming off playoff years and expecting big things from newcomers this season.

The local members of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools -- Allen Academy, Brazos Christian and St. Joseph -- will begin preseason volleyball workouts Monday and open the regular season the following week. Hopes are particularly high at St. Joseph and Brazos Christian, which have more in common than just their Eagle mascots.

Brazos Christian went 19-12 last season, taking second in its Class 2A district and reaching the bi-district round of the TAPPS playoffs. St. Joseph was 13-6, finishing fourth in 3A District 6 and getting to bi-district.

Both teams return key players, and both coaches expect to get boosts from newcomers who have honed their skills playing club ball.

"I expect our team to do very well," first-year BC coach Kara Green said. "We have some younger girls that are moving up that have played club and are great players, and we've got some important returning players.

"I got a chance to do summer league with them, which is one of the good things about TAPPS. We've gotten to work on some stuff, and I think we're going to be very good."

St. Joseph coach Jeanie Weaver also is optimistic. Her roster will be a mix of at least eight seniors and a new wave of prospects.

"I think we're going to have a great season," Weaver said. "I have a lot of talent coming back and some new people to change things up. We have a lot of experience, a lot of enthusiasm and determination. They're ready to work hard to be better."

At Brazos Christian, Green brings an impressive pedigree to her first head coaching job. She played volleyball at Canyon Randall High School and Southern Methodist. Last year, she was the junior varsity coach and helped with the varsity at Brenham, which reached the Class 4A state final.

"There's a lot more responsibility being the head coach," Green said. "Ordering uniforms and all that stuff is a little new to me, but it's been fun."

It will help that those red, white and blue uniforms will be worn by returning all-district selections Leanne Osborne and Christi Brigman. Osborne earned honorable mention all-state as a junior last season, when she had 178 kills and 196 digs. The 5-foot-10 Brigman led the Lady Eagles with 309 kills as a freshman.

BC also returns experienced players in senior setter Elizabeth Pierce, 6-foot junior middle blocker Connor Cravey and junior right side hitter Brittany Perkins.

Green expects immediate production from versatile freshman Emily Osborne.

"She's a natural leader and a competitor, which is exciting to see," Green said. "She makes everyone around her play better."

Brazos Christian will open the season by hosting Snook on Aug. 10.

Senior outside hitter Kelsey Dillard leads three returning starters for St. Joseph. Dillard collected 118 kills and had 59 aces last season, when she made all-district and honorable mention All-Brazos Valley.

"She's been a dominant force on our team," Weaver said.

St. Joseph's other returning starters will be senior setter Hannah Watts and junior middle blocker Dione Simmons, who both were all-district selections last year.

The Lady Eagles should get a boost from sophomore Courtney Hall, who played setter on the junior varsity and was a defensive specialist with the varsity last season.

St. Joseph will open the season at Huntsville Alpha Omega on Aug. 10.

Allen Academy was 8-9 last year and finished fourth in 2A District 9. Coach Ryanne Aaron hopes the Lady Rams will produce a winning record this season despite a young roster that includes three sophomores and four freshmen.

Sarah Brien will be Allen's only senior, and she will be counted on to provide leadership and experience. Other potential standouts for the Lady Rams include middle blocker Brooke Angonia and defensive specialist Katelyn Clark.