FAIRHOPE, Alabama — Fairhope’s Lady Pirates begin their second volleyball campaign this season under coach Melissa Knight. Formerly Melissa Plash, Knight played at Gulf Shores and was an All-State setter for the Lady Dolphins under coach Wing Brett—now at Foley and in the Lady Pirates’ same area.

With graduation taking it’s toll this past spring on a senior-laden group of starters last year, Knight said it looks like a case of back to the drawing board, at least for the early part of the season.

“The girls are working hard at practice,” she said. “But we do have a lot of new, younger girls who are just learning the game so we are spending more time with some of the basic things.”

Rachel Cooper, Imani Kirksey and Morghan Ray are the returning Lady Pirate seniors with Brittany Domino, Catherine Knight and Sarah Upton leading the junior class.

“With three seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and freshman we have to find a way to blend their levels of experience to get the best result,” Knight said. “And that's taking a little while, but I think we’re making progress. I’m proud of the effort from all of them and the older girls are doing a great job of helping to teach the younger ones, getting them prepared for the season. I think the speed and pace of the varsity game is what the younger ones are having to deal with more than anything.”

Referring to the scrimmage Saturday at Bayside Academy, Knight saw a lot of benefit from the tournament-like atmosphere.

“This was great for us to help expose them to the faster pace ball that many of them are not use to. Especially the younger girls, so this scrimmage was a good experience for them and the older ones too by having to work together in game-like conditions. Having to play in a noisy gym like a tournament is something some of them need to see as well, so it was good and overall we played pretty well. But still have work to do.”

Fairhope will open on the road at Mobile Christian Aug. 23 and play at Spanish Fort Aug. 28. Their home opener will be against 6A Area 3 opponent Baldwin County High, Aug. 30 at Pirate Gym.

All of those matches are set for first serve at 5:30 p.m.