Monday morning saw a little more than 200 athletes in the span of three sessions at the first day of this year’s Permian Volleyball Camp.
The three-day camp is expected to continue on Tuesday and wrap up on Wednesday, lasting from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. each day at the Permian Fieldhouse.
For Permian volleyball head coach Gillian Herrera, this is the largest group of volleyball players she’s had in attendance at the camp.
“That just shows how much volleyball has evolved in the Permian Basin,” Herrera said. “It’s awesome. These girls are excited to learn and we’re excited to have them here and grow the sport.”
The volleyball camp is for those going into grades 1-9.
The camp is split up into three separate sessions, beginning with grades 1-5 from 8-9:15 a.m. before continuing with grades 6-7 (9:30-11:30 a.m.) and finishing with grades 8-9 from noon-2 p.m.
Part of the reason for the increased numbers is because of COVID being in the rearview mirror.
“The last few years, the turnout has been great,” Herrera said. “However, I still think we’re finally recovering from COVID. People are getting back in and every year, our numbers have increased. This is our highest numbers yet.”
Herrera said the first day was spent working on the fundamentals.
“As the day progresses (Tuesday), we’ll do more combo drills,” Herrera said.
Having the camp towards the end of the summer has been beneficial as Herrera said it helps get the athletes back in shape right before the season begins.
“A lot of coaches do it right when you go into summer and I just feel like it’s best for the coaches and the kids to get back into the groove right before they go back to their middle schools and get some work in,” Herrera said.
One of the volleyball players who’s enjoyed the camp so far is Ava Anderson, who will be an eighth grader this year at Nimitz Junior High.
“I’ve just enjoyed the teamwork and working with people around my age and it’s been great working with the Permian coaches,” Anderson said.
Kalei Aguilar, who will be a freshman this year, is another participant at this summer’s camp.
“I like being with everybody and I love being here with my friends,” Aguilar said.
For Herrera, the best part of the volleyball summer camps is seeing the athletes progress from elementary to junior high and beyond.
“It’s great seeing these girls start from when they’re in first grade, second grade and it’s good making the connections with them,” Herrera said.
