University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia Volleyball Youth Clinic A Success
April 27, 2009 | Volleyball
ATHENS, Ga. The Georgia volleyball program hosted a free youth volleyball clinic at the First Methodist Church on Saturday, March 25th. Girls in grades five through eight, ages 9 to 14 years old, were separated into groups of 10 or less as the Bulldog coaches and players taught the introductory skills of the game, including serving, passing, setting, attacking and defense.
Sophomore middle blocker Valentina Gonzalez assisted Southeastern Conference all-freshman setter Kathleen Gates in teaching the girls how to set and deliver the ball for attackers. Freshman libero Carla Tietz and freshman middle blocker Ann Dylla taught a station demonstrating the proper footwork when receiving an opponent’s serve. Sophomore Simone May and redshirt freshman Briana Bahr taught how to dig a hard driven attack while sophomore Erika Clark and redshirt freshman Michele Simmons taught how to make an emergency dig. Additionally, the Bulldogs combined to help teach quick attacks and overhand serving.
"I was so pleased to have over 50 participants from the greater Athens area in a two court area learning the sport of volleyball and I want to thank Chad (Hanson) and Andrea (McCartney), two of our assistant coaches, for directing the event," Georgia head coach Joel McCartney said. "The community is becoming more excited about volleyball, and we are beginning to see a huge increase in participation as a result. Our athletes had a blast making new friends and teaching the basic skills of the sport we love, and I know we will continue to see those faces again at our summer camps and matches in the fall season. We are looking forward to offering another opportunity this fall in conjunction with our home matches. The interaction between the participants and our athletes is an integral element in building up the relationships and growing the sport of volleyball in the Athens community and the Bulldog nation."
