Area volleyball teams are nearing the start of district play, with Alba-Golden, Quitman and Yantis commencing district play Friday. Mineola starts the season on a bye and will begin their campaign Sept. 17.

The tournament and pre-district season for all teams has been busy. Since the commencement of volleyball season on Aug. 6, the four area schools averaged nine stand-alone matches and three tournaments. That is a lot of volleyball.

The fast pace of the early volleyball season is designed to ready the teams physically and psychologically for district play. As Mineola head coach TaShara Everett explained, “The girls are starting to play aggressively and with confidence, and that is what will help us in district play.”

Lady Panther head coach Jamie Webster commented, “The competition we have had against the larger schools has given us an idea of how hard we will need to compete. As a team we are growing every day.”

The early season matches have had some heart-stopping action, and intense competition. It has also taught the young teams how to handle challenges. Coach Webster noted, “One aspect of the early season was how we had to handle adversity. We have had changes to our rotation due to injuries and the girls have adapted very well.”

Alba-Golden opens district at 4 p.m. Friday Sept. 13 at home against Edgewood. Quitman also opens at home on Friday the 13th, hosting Lone Oak at 4:30 p.m. Mineola begins district at 6:00 p.m. Sept. 17 at home against Alba-Golden. Yantis opens district on the road taking on North Hopkins at 6:30 on Sept 13. Alba-Golden, Mineola and Quitman compete against one another in district 12-3A. Yantis is in district 18-2A.

Much excitement accompanies the start of district volleyball action. Coach Everett assured, “We are starting to peak at the right time.” Coach Webster exclaimed, “When these girls show up to play, they are really something to watch!”