By ERIC VICCARO
bnewssports@gmail.com

Yes, the high school volleyball season is at hand.
On Tuesday evening, five of six Montague County volleyball-playing schools started the 2015 campaign.
Bowie traveled to face Conference 2A state tournament representative Archer City. Nocona played host to Conference 4A Iowa Park.
As for the small schools, Saint Jo entertained first-year program Sacred Heart Muenster, Forestburg was home for Victory Christian from Decatur and Gold-Burg traveled to Electra for a triangular versus Electra and Knox City.
“We’re ecstatic, and I think we are all ready to play,” first-year Gold-Burg head coach Cheryl Cromleigh said. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls. We want to start playing real matches.”
Prairie Valley is the lone school that’s off today. The Lady Bulldogs will open the season on Saturday at the one-day Harrold Tournament.
Both Bowie and Nocona – the latter the lone team from the county to qualify for the postseason in 2014 – faced stiff challenges.
“Iowa Park gives us a good starting point of the areas we need to work on,” said Nocona coach Tiffany Clay, now in her second season piloting the team. Read more in the mid-week Bowie News.

Karlyn Dean (14) prepares to hit the ball in the front row during a scrimmage on Aug. 8 at Bowie High School. The Lady Rabbits played their opener on the road Tuesday. Click on the image itself for the complete photo. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)