Last week was a busy one at the 
“This week Fish has been great. He just worked the Wake Forest Volleyball Camp last week, and he brought many of the training, drills and techniques that they used and incorporated that into our camp,” Avery head volleyball coach Kim Hayes said during camp action. “The girls have really done great. The elementary and middle school students were just taught basic skills. The older girls have been working hard out of season. Skills wise, they’re where they need to be. This week we’ve been working on the game, transitioning of the game. From The $85 cost for the camp was a great bargain for a week of college-level instruction that otherwise would be a significant strain to the pocket of parents who wish to send ladies to camp but are unable to afford to do so. “I’m very, very fortunate to have Fish come do what he does at a great price. We’re able to save a ton of money and get the exact same instruction,” Coach Hayes added. “We’ve received positive comments from parents on the camp, and I am so lucky that he is willing to come in and do it.”
As the camps continue through the years, it is evident that the efforts put forth during camp each year will produce a harvest of volleyball success in the seasons to come.
“It might take a few years to start seeing results, but when I coached here previously Fish came and worked those camps. In each year I saw a little improvement, and by my third year we saw huge improvement with the girls coming in,” Coach Hayes added. “We’re kind of back as square one at rebuilding as we just began the camp again, but you can tell the kids who came to camp last year. The next year or two from now, I know we’ll be seeing the positive effects from this camp.”
The Avery Vikings team is a sleeper squad in this year’s Western Highlands Conference race. Despite losing a quintet of talented seniors, several returning players took part in individual position camps during the summer break from school. The team camp affords the squad the opportunity to jell as a unit, learn or reacquaint themselves with teammate tendencies, and improve together.
“I think and hope that we are going to surprise a lot of people,” Coach Hayes said. “We have no seniors and four juniors, so we will be young. These girls have been working so hard doing what they need to do to be top-notch volleyball players. Every girl played club volleyball, and has been working out and coming to open gyms. They’re doing everything they need to do; it’s obvious to see it on the court.”
Although the 2009 edition of the Avery Lady Vikings may experience some early growing pains, the girls are a talented group which should strengthen together and get better with each passing game.“At this point I’m excited at our skill level. In my years of coaching, this is probably the most skilled group I’ve ever coached. In the past, I would spend a lot of time on skills before teaching the game, but this group with all the work they have done is past that point,” Coach Hayes explained.
“These girls just need to play, to learn each other and how they play. Volleyball is 90% mental, and as a coach I am able to incorporate the game and understanding it in partnership with the skills the girls already have. With young age comes young mentality, but I’m excited because the players know and understand my coaching style and what I want. I can’t promise that we’ll win conference at this point, but we will be competitive. I believe our parents and community will be pleasantly shocked and surprised with the talent and maturity of this team.”
