The Selma High Lady Saints volleyball program is playing host to eight schools Thursday morning for a day of pre-season exhibition matches.

Southside, Park Crossing, Hale County, Centerpoint, Minor, Carver-Birmingham, Lanier and Robert E. Lee’s varsity and junior varsity teams are on the schedule to meet in the Selma High gymnasium for the play date which begins at 10 a.m.

The exhibition matches allows the players and the coaches to get a good look at themselves before school starts.

Volleyball season is just a few weeks away, and the sport is still growing in the Selma and Dallas County areas. Two weeks ago, young girls joined members of the Lady Saints at a girls only volleyball camp led by Superwoman Inc.

Earlier this summer, the volleyball players from Selma High and Southside were able to participate in a satellite camp when Huntingdon College visited Selma.

The players learned a lot from both of their opportunities this summer, and the goal is to translate it to the court against the competition.

Lady Saints head coach Katasha Turner organized the play date and invited the different programs to join in. The pre-season experience is a good warmup for her returning players, and a quick introduction to the varsity gameplay for the newcomers.

The play date is open to the public and admission is $3. The Lady Saints want to have the community support as they head into the 2018 season.