By DREW GRANTHUM / Sports Writer

The Inaugural Riverchase Middle Volleyball Camp will be held June 24-27 at Riverchase Middle School.

The camp, which is being hosted by RMS coach Polly Jones and will run from 8 a.m. to noon, is designed to give girls in grades 3-6 a chance a chance to better understand the game.

“This is our first year,” said Jones. “I wanted to start getting younger girls involved, give them a chance to build skills and actually play.”

Jones said the idea for the camp came from noticing a lack of opportunity for young girls to learn and play volleyball.

“Every sport is out there, except volleyball,” she said. “The biggest thing is for girls to see volleyball. I’m hoping if I get girls to camp it’ll get more participation in volleyball.”

Students who attend the camp will learn the terminology of the game as well as the skills needed to have success. The camp will also break students down into smaller groups for clinics in hitting, serving and passing.

While the camp and the clinics will be in a group setting, Jones said those who attend will receive direct attention. Coaches and players on the RMS squad and staff will be on hand to help individual campers with any issues they may have.

“They’re going to get a lot of one-on-one time,” she said. “Setters will help set, hitters will help hit. We want to try to get them to understand the concept of what’s going on in a game.”

The cost of the camp is $125 and the deadline to register is June 24. For more information contact Jones at pjones@shelbyed.k12.al.us.