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Taking a swing

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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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