The fall sports student-athletes are getting closer to opening night now that school is back in session. The football teams have been clashing with each other outside in the heat, but the girls volleyball teams have been putting in work during the off -season as well to prepare for their season openers next week.

Morgan Academy, Selma High, Dallas County and Meadowview Christian open their respective volleyball seasons on Aug. 23. Southside and Keith open their season with a county rivalry match-up against each other.

“We’re looking to improve off of last year,” Selma High head volleyball coach Katasha Turner said. “Improving our record, skill level and being more competitive than last year.”

The girls have been in the gym working on their fundamentals and preparing new players for varsity competition.

“I think the girls are excited,” Turner said. “Just like football, they get tired of hitting each other. Now it’s time to play other teams.”

Volleyball season goes at a different pace than football season. Whereas the boys will line up against opponents once a week, the volleyball players can have up to three matches in a week or tournaments where they play multiple teams in a day.

Selma High, Dallas County, Southside and Keith will face each other several times throughout the season as they do each year.

The teams look forward to the City County tournament, which is scheduled for Sept. 8.

“I feel like some of our surrounding teams are getting better,” Turner said. “I know we’ve had a couple coaching changes at some of our schools, but those girls still have that coach’s mind set and they will continue to keep going.”

The volleyball season runs from late August through Oct. 18, and the community support means a lot to the volleyball programs.

Playoffs begin with the area tournaments a week after the season ends.