By ERIC VICCARO
bnewssports@sbcglobal.net

The University Interscholastic League certainly didn’t do any favors for the Bowie High School volleyball program.
That’s because the Jackrabbits are moving into a rough eight-team district.
“It’s going to be tougher with the additions of Paradise and Boyd,” Bowie Head Coach Jeanie Stark said. “We’re adding a lot of successful programs.”
The top-four teams in Conference 3A, District 9, will advance to the playoffs. Last year, the Jackrabbits qualified for the postseason for the first time since 2009, but that was in a six-team district.
In addition to Paradise and Boyd, the district features Nocona, Holliday, Wichita Falls City View, Jacksboro and Henrietta.
The district opener is on Sept. 12 at Henrietta, followed by the home opener versus Boyd on Sept. 16. The district slate wraps up on Oct. 28 at Holliday. Six of the first eight district games are at Bowie, so the Jackrabbits will need to defend the home court early and often.
This summer, Bowie has been playing in a summer league shared between Paradise and Bridgeport. The team will be participating in the Texas Advantage Volleyball camp starting Thursday in Nocona. Read more in the weekend edition of The Bowie News, which includes a complete 2014 season schedule.

Bowie volleyball coach Jeanie Stark. (Photo provided by the Bowie Independent School District)