“Bench-press tests, the timed mile-run, and learning new names – it must be the beginning of fall sports again.I love the fall, said BHS athletic director Neal White. We need the summer to regroup, but fall’s an exciting time, and fall sports have a lot to do with setting the tone of the campus.From women’s volleyball to football, coaches across the board said their teams looked good and they were excited for the new season, new players and some for the new architecture.I love being in this new gym, said Julie Miller, the high school varsity volleyball coach. Three nets in a row, the new floors – it’s awesome. And we’ve got some big freshmen, some good transfers. All in all, 30 came out for the team.About 50 showed up for football this year. While girls’ volleyball isn’t a threat to the local football industry, defensive co-ordinator Jim West identifies other sports as siphoning some of the talent pool away from football.There’s a lot more competition from other sports these days, said West, a 1987 graduate of BHS. We’re going to be a young team, he said. There are more sports, but that’s diversity.Head coach Andy Grimm agreed. There are more options as far as sports are concerned, he said, watching the team run around the field.There’s more stress on the selects – select baseball, select soccer, basketball. But our core is here. We try to keep guys coming back by establishing relationships.Often, Grimm said, specialists in other sports can make the crucial difference in a football team.At the high school level, the point guards, the short stops can make the difference between a 5-5 season and a 7-2 season, he said. BHS varsity fullback Lance Mazey showed up for his first day as usual and enjoyed the sun-drenched afternoon on the field. The first day is always great. You get together with friends you haven’t seen in awhile. You’re playing, doing what you love, he said.Varsity volleyball player Michelle Purdom echoed that sentiment: Getting back into after not playing all summer – that’s a good thing about the first day.Running and weight-lifting tests characterize the official opening day of practice. It’s fun, these first days, said Mazey. Thursday and Friday is when it gets kind of bad.Varsity soccer coach Susan Fowler stood by the sidelines, carefully watching this year’s players in a scrimmage. People are nervous and fresh at first, she said. Especially the freshmen. But there’s always a great turnout and fresh, new talent.Players aren’t the only new blood on the fields this year. Volleyball has two new assistant coaches, Susanna Pine and Shaine Schramling. They’re going to be awesome, said head coach Miller. They’re excited to be here, they want to be here, and I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to the whole season. “