BY WENDI REARDON
Clarkston News Sports Writer
Kelly Pinner shared her final tips to the players in the morning session of Clarkston Volleyball Camp, June 30 – to continue working and practicing during summer.
Pinner, head coach for Clarkston Varsity Volleyball, added it will pay off for when the players tryout for the fall season.
Over 150 girls going into grades 5-12 participated in two sessions of the camp, June 27-30 where they worked on improving their skills and learning new techniques.
“The talent level is getting so much better which is good,” Pinner said. “It forces me to adjust what we do in camp. If you asked me what we did 10 years ago with these younger kids versus what we are doing now – it’s a world of difference. I am giving them more challenging things. Things we were doing with the older kids now we are using the same drills with the younger kids. It’s definitely promising for our program.”
The campers were guided by counselors who play on the high school level and collegiate level. One counselor had tried out for the Olympic team.
“We had a great group of girls working,” she said. “I think this was one of our best years in terms of counselors – we had three Oakland University players, a lot of college girls coming back which was nice for our older girls to have that college experience and to be working with them.”
She added the counselors help the campers to focus more.
“To them this person knows what they are talking about,” Pinner said. “They can help me – it’s nice having that.”
At the end of the week counselors select Most Improved Player, Most Spirited and Best Camper for each session. For the older girls McKenzie Wright was named Most Improved Player; Courtney Fabrugia, Most Spirited; and Sierra Kersten, Best Camper for playing hard, working hard, being positive with teammates and listening to counselors.
The freshman, junior varsity and varsity teams begin their season in August as the younger teams start in the winter. Please check www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/athletics for tryouts and conditioning updates.
The camp is held through Clarkston Community Education. For more information or to find other camps, please visit www.itpr.org or call 248-623-4326.

  Summer Camps, Volleyball