The start of volleyball season is still over a month away, but Selma, Keith and Dallas County had a chance for some early practice on Tuesday at a play date hosted at Selma High School.  

Each school played three 30-minute matches. The play date also included Lee, Sidney Lanier and Dallas County’s junior varsity team.

“I just tried to play everybody so they can get acclimated to the game, especially those girls that this is their first time on varsity,” said Dallas County coach Linda Moore.

The Hornets’ varsity won its opening match with Linden, although the final score didn’t matter as much as just getting experience for some of the younger players.

Keith won a close first set against Lee High School and was leading the second set when the match was called due to the time limit enforced for the play date.

“We have about a week under our belt,” said Keith coach Towanna Flennory. “[This play date] is a learning tool for me to see what we have and see what we’re working with.”

Flennory said Tuesday’s matches helped her team get past their butterflies.

“I have a lot of newbies so of course they are going to be nervous,” Flennory said. “They don’t see it as a summer league. They just see it as this is their first game so they are a little nervous, but I think we are going to be OK.”

Volleyball teams can open regular season practices on Aug. 1 and can play their first match on Aug. 25.