ALGONA — The St. Edmond girls open the 2025-26 season with No. 2 (Class 1A) Bishop Garrigan here Tuesday night.

Tip is set for 7:15 p.m.

The Gaels (0-0 overall) return several key starters and have a strong incoming freshman class to pair with them. Senior Anna Lursen, along with juniors Chloe Palmer and Abby Huss, each started at least 21 games last year as St. Edmond reached a regional semifinal and won eight games.

Lursen was among the top rebounders in the North Central Conference with 257 total boards, Palmer had 256 points, 154 rebounds, 86 assits and 74 steals, and Huss added 129 points, 50 rebounds and 19 assists.

Senior Ava Underberg returns after missing last season with an injury, junior Sophia Schlienz played in all 23 games a year ago, and senior Maggie Flaherty saw action in 20. Freshman Eden Horn, an all-conference volleyball player, is expected to slide in and provide size in the middle.

The Golden Bears (0-0) have won 20-plus games each of the past six seasons, winning two state championships during that time. They went 23-4 a year ago, advancing to the state semifinals before falling to eventual champion Council Bluffs St. Albert.

Starters Emmi Bartolo, Graclyn Eastman, Madelyn Tigges and Sacha Alesch all return for head coach Brandon Schwab. Bartolo, Eastman and Alesch each averaged double figures, as Eastman also grabbed 10.5 rebounds per game.

Bishop Garrigan has won each of the past six meetings with St. Edmond, who leads the series since 2006, 10-8.