Volleyball clinic keeps kids in the game

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The future of Warren County volleyball is getting an early start this week.

Erin Blalock and the WCHS Lady Pioneers welcomed more than 50 campers to Charlie Dalton Gym Thursday as the program opened its annual Summer Youth Camp. The clinic, which continues Friday from 10 a.m. to noon, is open to girls entering first through eighth grades and has become a staple of the program during the summer.

"We just get really pumped about getting these girls started early," Blalock said. "That's how our programs are going to grow. We just hope they leave our camp loving the game, having fun and learning a little bit too."

Blalock estimated between 53 and 55 campers attended the opening day. This year's clinic is the sixth she has directed after beginning the camp in 2020.

"It's kind of come full circle because our current high school players were campers once themselves, and now they're the leaders," Blalock said. "Some of the youngest girls who came to our first camps are now significant contributors at the middle school level. The early exposure and helping them fall in love with the sport is already starting to pay off."

Current Lady Pioneer players spend the two-day camp working alongside the younger athletes, a role Blalock believes helps them develop as well.

"I'm a firm believer that the best way to learn and get better at something is to teach it to others," Blalock said. "Our high school girls have a great opportunity throughout camp to reinforce their own skills while they're helping teach it to others."