Volleyball enthusiasts from Kindergarten to 8th Grade take advantage of learning from CHS Coaches and players
Story and photos by Jim Beers
CHESTER – The week of June 3-6 the Chester High School Lady YellowJacket Coaches and players hosted the Annual Lady Jackets Youth Volleyball Camp for kids Kindergarten through 8th Grade. This year’s camp enjoyed 61 participants and the week was deemed a huge success by Head Coach Colleen Runge.
Runge said, “Our camper total this year for summer camp was 61. It was a great turnout and we had a fabulous time!”
The 2024 camp had three grade levels and separate workout times to provide an atmosphere that was age appropriate and conducive to learning with same age campers. Sessions were an hour in length with a 15-minute transition time in between sessions.
This made for a long day of instruction by the coaches and CHS players, however, the excitement and energy displayed by the campers indicated that it was all well worth it!
Group 1 had 24 campers Kindergarten through 2nd Grade. This group included Zoe Atchison, Emerson Stevens, Kennedy Risley, Quinn Davitz, Sophia Krantz, Maci Draves, Skylar Draves, Gwen Yankey, Annalynn Scorcz, Finley Eggemeyer, Emilia Johnson, MacKinzy Velasco, Harper Stewart, Elizabeth Absher, Teagan Draves, Huntlie Louveau, Piper Runge, Isabella Risley, Landynn Phillips, Cora Hargis, Sayler Moist, Karson Nanney, Emmalyn Martin, and Braylee Berner.
Group 2 consisted of 21 campers going into 3rd through 5th Grades. This group consisted of Elora Keyser, Lillian Johnson, Paisley Johnson, Katelyn Middendorf, Myah Palacio, Harper Moist, Ady Caron, Paisley Ezell, Mia Salger, Eriana Quintana, Brooke Chandler, Ezra Gaertner, Natalie Guethle, Chloe Keeton, Weylyn Quintana, Freya Roche, Carter Belton, Summer Thompson, Oaklynn Wallace, Adaya Wunderlich, and Atleigh Sullivan.
Group 3, the oldest group, had 17 campers entering 6th through 8th Grades. Included in Group 3 were Sophia Bryant, Brenna Hammel, Brystol Stellhorn, Hadlie Cushman, Mabrie Cushman, Mackinly Davitz, Kelsey Davitz, Kristin Presswood, Josie Gaertner, Taylor Stauffer, Payton Stauffer, Heylhn Masterson, Isabella Vogt, Alyssa Lemanski, Morgan Nanney, Hayven Stellhorn, and Brooklyn Eggemeyer.
Coach Runge and Assistant Coach Reese Chandler said, “Daily instruction focused on the fundamentals of volleyball. The campers learned to pass, set, hit and serve. We played games and even had some obstacle courses which seemed to be a favorite of the Kindergarten through 5th Grade Groups.”
“Overall it was a fun week and we can’t wait to do it again next year. I want to say thank you to all of the campers who attended! We can’t wait to see you again next year”, said Head Coach Runge.
In addition to Coaches Runge and Chandler, Chester High School Lady Jacket Volleyball Players assisted with instruction each session. Not only were they valuable in the arena of instruction, but the high school players were very good examples and role models for the young campers.
Several of the Lady Jackets were incoming freshmen and the camp gave them the opportunity to get experience in learning the team’s operational methods and leading the young campers in their various instructional efforts. Finally, spending the week with the upperclassmen helped the freshmen to bond with the high school coaches and players.
Members of the Lady Jacket Volleyball team that were present on the final day of camp included Vanessa Green, Jaden Bert, Kaylin Jany, Hannah Crowe, Marlie Caby, Maddie Roy, Brooke Howie, Addy Jany, Ava Bert, Camryn Wolff, Gianna Eggemeyer, Erin Liefer, Aleah Eggemeyer, Aubrey Colvis, Avery Hasemeyer, Addison Coffey, Taylor Korando, Peyton Parker, and Hailey Yankey.
Overall the week of Youth Camp proved to be very beneficial to not only the 61 campers, but to the Lady Jacket coaches and players.
The following Chester High School Lady Jacket Coaches and Volleyball players assisted with the 2024 Lady Jacket Volleyball Youth Camp. Row 1, left to right included Vanessa Green, Jaden Bert, Kaylin Jany, Hannah Crowe, Marlie Caby, Maddie Roy, Brooke Howie, Addy Jany, and Ava Bert. Row 2, left to right are Head Coach Colleen Runge, Camryn Wolff, Gianna Eggemeyer, Erin Liefer, Aleah Eggemeyer, Aubrey Colvis, Avery Hasemeyer, Addison Coffey, Taylor Korando, Peyton Parker, Hailey Yankey, and Assistant Coach Reese Chandler. Jim Beers Photo
Group 1 included 24 campers in grades Kindergarten through 2nd Grade. Shown here Head Coach Colleen Runge teaches the beginners about all of the different positions on a volleyball team. Jim Beers Photo
Group 1 of the 2024 CHS Lady Jacket Volleyball Camp consisted of 24 campers entering grades Kindergarten through 2nd Grade. Those present on the final day of camp posed for a group photo with CHS Volleyball Coaches and Lady Jacket Volleyball Player-Instructors. The 2nd graders included Zoe Atchison, Emerson Stevens, Kennedy Risley, Quinn Davitz, Sophia Krantz, Maci Draves, Skylar Draves, Gwen Yankey, Annalynn Scorcz, Finley Eggemeyer, Emilia Johnson, MacKinzy Velasco, Harper Stewart, Elizabeth Absher, Teagan Draves, Huntlie Louveau, Piper Runge, Isabella Risley, Landynn Phillips, Cora Hargis, Sayler Moist, Karson Nanney, Emmalyn Martin, and Braylee Berner. Jim Beers Photo
Brenna Hammel, an 8th Grade Youth Volleyball Camper, prepares to practice her serves during one of the many training sessions of the 2024 Summer Camp. Jim Beers Photo
There were a total of 17 campers in Group 3 which included 6th through 8th Grade Youth Summer Campers. Here they pose for a group photo along with the CHS Coaches and Volleyball Players on the final day of camp Thursday June 6. Included in the 6th through 8th Grade Group (in no particular order) are Sophia Bryant, Brenna Hammel, Brystol Stellhorn, Hadlie Cushman, Mabrie Cushman, Mackinly Davitz, Kelsey Davitz, Kristin Presswood, Josie Gaertner, Taylor Stauffer, Payton Stauffer, Heylhn Masterson, Isabella Vogt, Alyssa Lemanski, Morgan Nanney, Hayven Stellhorn, and Brooklyn Eggemeyer. Jim Beers Photo
On the final day of camp, the 6th through 8th Graders close the 2024 Lady Jacket Volleyball Youth Camp by “Bringing-It-In” as Head Coach Colleen Runge praises their efforts that were demonstrated throughout the week-long camp. Jim Beers Photo
Brystol Stellhorn, an 8th Grade camper, concentrates on receiving a serve from the other side of the net in a serving drill on the last day of the 2024 Lady Jacket Volleyball Youth Summer Camp. Stellhorn will be an 8th grader at Chester Grade School next fall and plays on the Jr. Lady Jacket Volleyball Team. Jim Beers Photo
The 3rd through 5th Grade group at the 2024 CHS Lady Jacket Volleyball Youth Summer Camp poses for a group photo with the CHS Coaches and Volleyball players after the last session on Thursday June 6th. Included in the 21 member 3rd thru 5th Grade Group (in no particular order) are Elora Keyser, Lillian Johnson, Paisley Johnson, Katelyn Middendorf, Mya Palacio, Harper Moist, Ady Caron, Paisley Ezell, Mia Salger, Eriana Quintana, Brooke Chandler, Ezra Gaertner, Natalie Guethle, Chloe Keeton, Weylyn Quintana, Freya Roche, Carter Belton, Summer Thompson, Oaklynn Wallace, Adaya Wunderlich, and Atleigh Sullivan. Jim Beers Photo
Campers in Group 2, (3rd through 5th Grade) work at all four corners of the gym at the 2024 CHS Lady Jacket Volleyball Youth Summer Camp. Shown here the campers enjoy working on drills designed to learn the skills of hitting, serving, setting, and passing and even had a great time negotiating an obstacle course. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the week-long camp experience. Jim Beers Photo