Volleyball 2-a-days to get underway
By Donnie A. Lucas
Two-a-day workouts for high school volleyball start Monday, Aug. 2 at 7:00 a.m. at the high school competition gym.
Coach M.J. Reneau is expecting about 40 girls in grades 9-12 to participate this season, with seven seniors off last year’s state semifinal team returning.
“We lost eight seniors from last year, but I have another big group of seniors coming up,” Reneau said. “I am expecting another good year for the Lady Lions with a solid group of returning players.”
The coach said that she will be putting three teams on the floor this season, including both JV I and JV II squads in addition to the varsity.
Many members of the team will be coming into two-a-days fresh off a team camp held on the first three days of this week conducted by Bre Shelton, the varsity coach at Hardin-Simmons University.
Practices will be held at 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. on Monday through Thursday, and again at 11:00 until 2:00 p.m. on each day.
The JV teams will practice from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 6, followed by varsity scrimmages starting at 11:00 a.m. against Lingleville and Benjamin.
All three teams will travel to Breckenridge on Saturday, Aug. 7 beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The local teams will return to Breckenridge on Tuesday, Aug. 10 for the season opener starting at 4:30 p.m.
The teams will be introduced at the annual Athletic Booster Club hamburger supper on Monday, Aug. 9 at the Bank Park.
The Lady Lions are also hosting the Albany Summer Slam Tournament on Aug. 12-14.
“Last year we were not allowed to host or play in tournaments because of the coronavirus,” Reneau said. “We are so happy to be back to playing in tournaments because you gain so much experience in a short period of time.”
Reneau said that she sent out a letter earlier in the month to all prospective players that included important dates and a number of consent forms that must be signed by a parent.
Anyone not receiving a packet in the mail who wants to participate should contact Reneau this week so the paperwork can be completed prior to showing up for the first day of workouts.
Those who did not undergo a physical exam at the end of school in May must have one conducted on their own and at their own expense before workouts start.
Exams are offered at both local clinics, but a fee will be charged, and an appointment is required.
