POULSBO — In just six weeks, volleyball players will hit practice courts throughout the area, looking to serve, bump, set and spike their way into the fall season.
But in an effort to help team members “get back into the groove” even earlier, North Kitsap High School volleyball coach Tim French is offering volleyball netters a chance to improve during the heat of summer.
The fourth annual Viking Volleyball Camp is taking place from July 9-12 at the North Kitsap High School gymnasium. French said camps aren’t just for Poulsbo student athletes, they’re open to anyone and everyone who wants to participate.
“The camp is open to everyone. We have even have some athletes coming from Quilcene,” he said. “It’s going to be great camp for players to attend.”
The first session with volleyball players grades five through eight will focus on the fundamentals of the sport, French said.
“The goal is to get the younger kids hooked on the sport of volleyball. We introduce them to the sport and teach them the basic skills,” he said. “We want them to have fun.”
French said if children develop a passion for volleyball at a young age, it can translate into coveted results when they reach the high school level.
“If we get these kids involved in the sport at an early age, we will have a better chance of competing competitively down the road when they are in high school,” he said. “We will even have some of the high school players coming to help out during the first session. It gives the chance for the younger kids to interact with the older players.”
The second session reserved for high school aged players will focus on the finer details of the sport.
“For the first days it will focus on the fundamentals to get them back in the swing of things,” French said. “As we move forward with the camp, we will get into team drills and activities.”
French is hoping his squad can build on a 2006-2007 volleyball season that was particularly kind to the North Kitsap Vikings.
“We made it to the district playoffs for the first time since 2002,” French said. “This camp will help propel us into the season. The girls get a chance to play with each other and get back into the groove.”
The 2007-2008 season will be a tougher road to hoe, considering the Vikings will lose some of its players due to the opening of Kingston High School.
“With the split this year it’s going to be pretty tough,” French said. “We’re going to be in a pretty tough 4A league.”
While the camp can provide a solid foundation for the players, it’s more about their having fun while enjoying one of their favorite sports.
“It’s a great time,” he said. “It’s a laid back camp where everyone has fun. Usually by the fourth day the kids wish they had one more extra day of camp.”
