Taking a swing
Jillian Ukropina
The Junior Spikers volleyball camp only lasts a week. For many of its
participants, that’s not nearly enough time.
“Everyone takes it for two to three weeks,” said Ric Jennings, the
program’s creator and director. “Everyone always returns.”
Junior Spikers, a program created to introduce the basic skills of
volleyball, includes training, drills, challenges, team competitions
and a daily dip in the ocean. Even with the relatively short length
of the camp, participants learn techniques quickly and enjoy the
company of their friends.
Camps are held at the Huntington Beach Pier volleyball courts. The
beachfront location allows participants to swim in the ocean after
three hours of instruction.
Many participants take multiple sessions and build their skills,
learning from the constant evaluation. The coaches speak from
experience, too -- all of them are former Junior Spikers.
Students range from 8 to 14 and are of all abilities.
“It’s really fun,” said Andriana Privett, taking the class for the
first time at 8 years old. “I really like the program. The coaches
are really nice, too.”
The camps begin in June and will run through the end of August.
The program aims to teach beginners but also serves as a tune-up for
players seeking to make a school or club volleyball team.
“This program helps to prepare me for high school,” 11-year-old
Kyle Ingram said.
Jennings started the program with 40 children in 1997. It has now reached more than 150 participants a week with 21 coaches, some of
whom are professional volleyball players.
“Our formula is so right: fun and learning,” Jennings said.
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