(Photos by Michael Fischer) Spencer Head Volleyball Coach Michele Dirkx introduces the 2008 Varsity Volleyball team at the annual team scrimmage held at the Spencer Field House Friday, August 22, 2008.

With the 2008 season just days away, the Spencer volleyball and cross country teams were on display Friday night, putting on a preseason show for Tiger fans at the annual Gatorade scrimmage. After head coach Michele Dirkx introduced her squad -- a young team that features just three girls with varsity experience -- the varsity volleyball team performed a variety of drills followed by a scrimmage pitting the freshman and junior varsity teams against one another. Both the boys and girls cross country teams participated in a practice meet at Oneota Park. The football team took in a semi-regular day of practice before the Tigers snap on the chin straps for a full contract scrimmage Saturday at Dale Norton Field. Unlike most seasons, the football team will be the first on display in live action in '08 when the athletics season officially begins with the annual Spencer vs. Emmetsburg rivalry game Friday at Dale Norton Field. Both the volleyball and cross country teams begin action on Tuesday, Sept. 2; the girls swimmers kick off their season under the direction of first-year coach Katie Tanner on Tuesday, Sept. 9 against Sioux City East.

Megan Anderson tosses up a serve during the annual varsity team scrimmage held Friday August 22, 2008 at the Spencer Field House. Members of the varsity, junior varsity and freshman teams as well as the coaching staffs were introduced.