Klein High's water polo program is in the pool for year two, and this time the Bearkats have a girls team to go with the boys.
Both varsity squads opened the 2026-27 season Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Klein ISD Battle for the Crown tournament, hosted at Klein High Natatorium in Spring. According to the Klein High athletics schedule, the three-day event runs through Saturday, Aug. 8, with sessions starting at 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday.
The tournament marks a milestone for head coach Jim Svoboda's program. In its inaugural 2025 season, the boys team played nine games and won two, both against Klein Forest. There was no official girls squad that year. Freshman Camille Perry practiced with the boys and played occasional forfeit games as the lone female participant.
Now Perry and a full varsity girls roster are competing alongside the boys in the same home tournament.
"People don't realize we're basically wrestling nonstop while trying not to drown," Michael Litherland told The Bearchat student magazine in December 2025, when he was a junior on the inaugural squad describing the sport's physical demands.
Svoboda, who also serves as Klein High's head swim and dive coach, was recognized by the Klein ISD Board of Trustees on May 11 for coaching three THSCA Elite Academic All-State swimmers: Madeleine Bender, Zachary Brewer and Dylan Voyles. He leads both water polo teams this fall.
Klein ISD Athletics posted on Instagram on Aug. 4 to mark the official start of water polo season across the district.
Tournament results had not been posted as of Friday, Aug. 7. Bracket details and opposing teams were not listed on the Klein High athletics schedule.
What's next
After the Battle for the Crown wraps Saturday, both teams travel to North Shore High in Houston on Wednesday, Aug. 12. The girls play at 6 p.m. and the boys at 7 p.m. The Bearkats then head to the Cy-Fair ISD Water Polo Tournament at Cy-Bridgeland High in Cypress from Thursday, Aug. 13, through Saturday, Aug. 15.
District play opens at home against Klein Oak on Aug. 25, followed by Klein Collins on Sept. 1 and a road trip to Klein Forest on Sept. 8.
