With summer drawing to a close, football is not the only sport local coaches are preparing for in the Atmore area as volleyball season is also just around the corner. Tuesday and Wednesday teams from several local high schools met in Flomaton for a summer camp and among them were the Northview Lady Chiefs, who will be under the direction of first-year head coach Barbara Luker in 2012.

Luker, who replaces coach Betty Heaton, said the summer months have proven fruitful for her team as they continue to prepare for their Aug. 23 season opener against Escambia County (Fla.) High School.

“We are looking forward to an exciting season,” Luker said. “We didn’t keep stats for the volleyball camp at Flomaton, but over two days we played eight different sets (teams) and won six of the eight.”

Luker said she is excited about the upcoming season and not only because of her team’s chances of success. Luker said the Lady Chiefs will also be helping breast cancer patients up their chances to succeed by once again taking part in the annual Dig Pink game.

“This will be our third year hosting that event,” she said. “All proceeds go to benefit breast cancer awareness through the Side-Out Foundation.  It is a special event where we recognize cancer survivors, who are admitted free into the game. We host a hospitality room for them and provide gifts if we are able to get enough sponsors.  Last year, along with Flomaton’s volleyball team, we raised over $1,100.  We hope to raise more this year.”

More information about the annual game will be made available as the date draws near.

Below are this year’s NHS Lady Chiefs’ game dates, including the Dig Pink contest:

• Aug. 23, Escambia, Fla., at home, varsity only, 5 p.m./ Pre-season Classic, Jay High/Central High School School, 6 p.m.
Two Court Set Up
• Aug. 28, at Flomaton, JV, 4:30 p.m./varisty, 5:30 p.m.
• Aug. 30, Catholic, at home, JV, 4:30 p.m./varsity, 6 p.m.
• Sept. 4, at Laurel Hill, JV, 4:30 p.m./varsity 5:30 p.m.
• Sept. 6,Central, at home, JV, 4:30 p.m./varsity 5:30 p.m.
• Sept. 8, Northview JV Tournament, JV only, TBA
• Sept. 10, at Pensacola High School, JV, 4:30 p.m./varsity, 5:30 p.m.
• Sept. 11, at Baker, JV, 4:30 p.m./varsity, 5:30 p.m.
• Sept. 14,15, Spanish Fort Varsity Tournament, TBA
• Sept. 17, Jay, at home, JV, 4:30 p.m./varsity, 5:30 p.m.
• Sept. 18, at Jay, JV, 4:30 p.m./varsity, 5:30 p.m.
• Sept. 20, Laurel Hill, at home, JV, 4:30 p.m./varsity, 5:30 p.m.
• Sept. 25, at Catholic, JV 5 p.m./varsity, 6 p.m.
• Sept. 29, Northview Varsity Tournament, varsity only, TBA
• Oct. 2 at BCHS, varsity only, 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
Tri-Match
• Oct. 4, (Dig Pink game) Flomaton, at home, JV, 4:30 p.m./varsity, 6 p.m. *
• Oct. 9, at Central, JV, 4:30 p.m./varsity 5:30 p.m.
• Oct. 11, (Senior Night), Baker, at home, JV, 4:30 p.m./varsity, 5:30 p.m. *
• Oct. 16, at Tate, JV, 4:30 p.m./varsity, 5:30 p.m.
• Oct. 18, Pensacola High School, at home, varsity only, 5:30 p.m.
District Tournament
•Oct. 22, at Central, varsity, TBA
• Oct. 23, at Central, varsity, TBA
District Championship Game
Oct. 25, at Central, varsity, 6 p.m.