Camps continued at Belen High School this week as Barbara Rodriguez and her Eagle volleyball team hosted a four-day volleyball camp at the Eagles’ Nest. The camp had just over 30 players in attendance from third grade to upcoming freshmen trying to hone their skills for the upcoming season.
“We had a lot of fun,” Rodriguez said. “It’s always nice to bring younger kids out.”
The camp focused on basic skills but also included some fun activities, ranging from a tournament to a sketch section, where the teams acted out little pre-rehearsed skits.
“The skit part was just a fun part of the camp,” Rodriguez said. “It’s good for the kids to get together and to work as a team.”
The camp was coached by Rodriguez, who has been coaching in Belen for the past 17 years. She had some help from some of her returning players and players expected to fill varsity and junior varsity positions.
“This was also a good chance for me took look at some of the up-and-coming freshmen,” Rodriguez said. “We start our practice next week, and it was a good opportunity to get the younger kids involved.”
Rodriguez wants to get the kids involved at a young age, so she holds this camp, in an attempt to generate interest.
“There is a middle school program, but, before that, the kids really aren’t exposed to volleyball,” Rodriguez said.
The coach is trying to promote volleyball in the elementary schools and is seeking help from former players.
“It’s really hard because there just aren’t enough hours in the day for me to coach high school and get a program going for younger kids,’ Rodriguez said.
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November 30, 2023
