The volleyball regular season gets started this coming week, as the four local teams go for a deep playoff run.
Four high schools in Washington Parish have volleyball teams, including Bogalusa, Franklinton, Pine and Varnado.
Pine is the only team that made the playoffs last season. The Lady Raiders reached the first round of the Division IV postseason last year as the 23rd-seeded team, but lost to No. 10 Northlake Christian School in three games. Northlake Christian reached the quarterfinals.
Pine coach Tammy Voth said the team has been working hard.
“The girls have just grown a lot,” Voth said. “They work real hard every day they come down here. We work through a couple of hours after school every day and they’ve just shown a lot of improvement.”
Voth said the team lost one senior last year, in Kelli Adams.
“Reese Polk came in and is going to step into her spot and give us a good outside hitter. She is a really good passer, so she’ll play maybe libero (defensive specialist) in the back. We’re building and we’ve got a real young team this year, so we’re just looking to get better every year.”
Pine defeated Franklinton in a scrimmage that took place Thursday.
Voth said that she was very pleased with her team’s performance and could tell that all of the hard work they have put in was making a difference.
Franklinton coach Caleb Mulina enters his third season as the Lady Demons’ head coach.
“The Lady Demons have been practicing throughout the summer and are looking forward to the upcoming season,” Mulina said.
Two schools have new coaches.
Rachael Galloway takes over at Bogalusa in her second stint as the Lady Jacks’ head coach and Kelly Gifford takes the reins at Varnado.
Galloway said the season is looking great so far and that practice has been going well.
“Been practicing every day after school for the tough opponents in our district we will be facing this year. Some of which are Hannan High, St. Thomas Aquinas and Pope John Paul, Northlake Christian,” Galloway said.
Gifford said she is extremely enthusiastic to be a part of the Lady Wildcats family.
“These girls are truly exceptional,” Gifford said. “Our senior/varsity ladies are really strong and have shown such remarkable sportsmanship during practices, by welcoming the newer JV girls, as well as, helping them nail down some of the fundamental techniques. Our JV girls have proven themselves to be quite remarkable as well; they show great communication on the court and a willingness to learn and perfect. What more could a coach ask for? This year will be great for the Lady Wildcats volleyball team.”
Bogalusa and Varnado will be competing in a scrimmage on Tuesday at Bogalusa.
Franklinton and Pine will open the season on Tuesday and both are at home against teams from Tangipahoa Parish, while Varnado will begin the season on Thursday and Bogalusa will start the following Thursday.
Franklinton will be hosting Amite and Pine will take on Hammond. Varnado will be on the road for its opener, which will take place against Pine. Bogalusa will open its season on Thursday, Sept. 6, with a home game against Varnado.