By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

A local area team is preparing to host a tournament to help kick off the upcoming volleyball season.

For the second straight year, the Morgan Academy girl’s volleyball team will host the Elite 8 volleyball tournament on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 8 a.m.

Other teams participating in the tournament are Prattville Christian Academy, Lee-Scott Academy, Clark Prep School, Sumter Academy, Escambia Academy, Edgewood Academy and Crenshaw Christian Academy.

“It’s really nice to host this tournament again,” said Jennifer Moore, coach of Morgan Academy. “It usually runs pretty smoothly and everyone enjoyed it last year. I like hosting it.”

Teams will play games in both of the gyms at Morgan Academy with the championship game being played at 6 p.m. in the new gym on the same day.

Moore said her team has been participating in scrimmages to prepare for the season and the tournament.

“We scrimmaged Meadowview last Tuesday and the girls did really well,” Moore said.

“Everyone did well and got to play. Everyone has really improved since tryouts.”

Moore said she has a good group of underclassmen to go with a strong senior class.

“Juniors and seniors did very well,” Moore said.

“I have a good group of sophomores that I can put in there when I need them and they get the job done.”

Morgan Academy will begin the regular season on the road Thursday against Lee-Scott Academy before returning home to host the tournament Saturday.