JT Keith
The numbers kept climbing as the doors opened. Artesia’s annual volleyball camp drew a record 143 participants from July 1–3, nearly doubling the turnout from each of the previous two years.
Assistant coach Mandi Lewallen admitted the staff had initial reservations about scheduling the event so close to the Fourth of July holiday, a time when many local families typically head out of town. Those concerns, however, were quickly dispelled by the overwhelming response.
Record turnout
The camp, now in its 14th year, saw participation jump significantly from the 85 campers who attended in each of the past two years.
“We got to work on a lot of skills,” Lewallen said. “We focused on the basics in the morning, like passing and serving. We played on three different courts, which gave the kids a chance to get a lot more touches.”
The camp was divided into two sessions: 9 a.m. to noon for seventh and eighth graders, and 1 to 3 p.m. for third through sixth graders.
Campers rotated through fundamental stations before pairing with high school players for scrimmages at the end of each session. The curriculum was tailored to skill level; younger campers practiced footwork through catch-and-toss drills, while fifth- and sixth-graders progressed to passing and serving techniques.
Camp adds new features
Organizers also introduced a concession stand this year, providing a 10-minute break for refreshments, including water, sports drinks and snacks.
Additionally, coaches brought back a popular tournament format featuring eight teams of six players. The teams selected their rosters Wednesday, practiced throughout the week, and concluded with a double-elimination tournament on Friday. Games were capped at 12 minutes, with the final match extending to 18 minutes or until a team reached 25 points.
While the winners received medals, Lewallen emphasized that the primary goal was fostering teamwork and sportsmanship.
“I love this camp,” Lewallen said. “This is one of my favorite times with the kids. They are so young, they love the game, and they are so energetic. We appreciate all the parents who brought their kids to our program. I am super excited.”
Practice begins
The Artesia High School team officially opened practice on July 1. Following a home tournament on Monday, the squad will travel to Abilene Christian for a camp July 16–17, followed by stops in Portales and Western Colorado on July 23.
What comes next
Despite graduating nine seniors from a team that finished 21-7 and reached the state semifinals, the outlook remains positive.
“We had 38 girls in the gym,” Lewallen said. “We had 18 to 20 freshmen on the court today. It is going to be exciting. We have full teams and many girls in the gym, ready to play. They are ready to start playing on Monday.”
