By GABRIELLE SHIOZAWA
Moapa Valley Progress
Nine-year-old AdriAnn Hillstead waits at the net, volleyball in hand. Graceann Erickson, a junior at Moapa Valley High School, stands at her left, guiding her through the motions of an underhand serve. AdriAnn tentatively tries it out for herself. As the volleyball soars over the net, she turns, a smile on her face. Victorious!
Local girls, ranging from young elementary schoolers to incoming Pirate freshmen, filled Moapa Valley High School’s three-court gym on Wednesday, Aug. 8 for the MVHS Junior Volleyball Camp.
The annual day camp gave the young athletes the opportunity to learn from local coaches, including MVHS Varsity Volleyball coach Mandie Matheson. A group of returning Pirate volleyball players also came to help the girls as they learned new skills, competed for prizes, and made fun memories.
Matheson, who has led the camp for around 15 years, explained that its primary is to teach the girls the basics of volleyball.
“At the younger level, most of the girls are really trying to learn to serve and pass, while the older girls will get a little more advanced with setting and hitting,” said Matheson.
Matheson commented that she loves getting to know the kids and seeing their enthusiasm for volleyball grow. She hopes that the camp gives the girls some assurance in themselves, whether they choose to play on a school team or not.
“I hope that they learn something that they can use, something that can help them feel successful when they play,” remarked Matheson. “Whether they play in P.E. or they choose to play in middle school or through Parks and Rec, I hope it helps them feel a little more confident when they play the game.”
Fifth-grader Bonnie Conk, who started playing volleyball with Parks and Recreation last year, says that her favorite thing about playing the game is getting to work as a team.
“You don’t have to do it all on your own!” she commented. “You can depend on your team.”
Conk has attended the junior volleyball camp for three years.
“I like seeing my friends there and getting better at volleyball,” she said. “I’ve learned better serving and better passing.”
Makale Evans, 13, started playing with Parks and Rec when she was in second grade. Now, as an eighth grader, she plays with the Mack Lyon Middle School team. She enjoys attending volleyball camp because “You learn a lot, and it’s just really fun!”
“I’ve learned how to pass better and serve better,” said Evans. “They teach us a lot of skills to help us play the game better.”
These future Pirate volleyball players will certainly be more confident on the court as they apply the lessons they’ve learned at camp.
