Volleyball takes center court tomorrow night, as the season unofficially gets underway with the Salmen Jamboree.
The event features some very good competition, as seven of the eight teams reached the playoffs last season, including Pope John Paul II, which captured the Division IV state title. The Lady Jaguars did not lose a game during the playoffs.
Another team, First Baptist Christian School, advanced to the quarterfinals. Riverside Academy, Pearl River, Mandeville and Northshore all advanced to the regional round and Salmen made it to the bi-district round of postseason.
Franklinton is the lone Washington Parish team in the jamboree.
The Lady Demons’ volleyball program, which posted a 6-17 record last season, enters its third season and coach Leslie McGhee said there will be plenty of good competition in the jamboree.
“That’s why I chose that jamboree,” McGhee said. “We had our scrimmage last week and we’re getting better. We’re going into our third year and we’ve improved each year. This year is looking up for us. That’s kind of what those first few years of a new program are about, getting better and improving.”
McGhee said she is looking to make sure the team is covering in the correct positions defensively and that they are utilizing every player on defense.
“We’re also looking to see what our offense has,” McGhee said. “Volleyball is challenging with the footwork and the fundamentals. I’m looking to see how much we’ve improved in all of that.”
The matches consist of just one game to 25.
Franklinton is playing three matches, which are scheduled for 4:30 p.m. 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. The Lady Demons are facing Pearl River to begin, followed by Mandeville and First Baptist Christian School.
Pearl River went to the regional round of the Division III postseason last year before falling to eventual state champion Teurlings Catholic. Teurlings Catholic did not lose a game throughout the playoffs.
Mandeville made it to the regional round of the Division I postseason before falling to Dominican. Dominican lost in the next round to eventual state champion Mt. Carmel Academy.
First Baptist went to the quarterfinals of the Division V postseason, but was defeated by St. John. St. John lost to eventual state champion Metairie Park Country Day in the semifinals.
Franklinton opens the regular season on the road Sept. 1 against Loranger.
The home opener is a week later against Pearl River.