By By BRUCE HIXON Sports Editor
Like any instructor, Michelle Durban, Regan Adams and Erin Heffner have an agenda of things they want to accomplish at the Brewton Area YMCA Volleyball Camp.
That agenda has gotten a surprise adjustment.
The trio has a measuring stick about how the skill level of volleyball in this area rates. This is the third year in a row Durban and Adams have been instructors at the camp and the second year for Heffner.
All three instructors have a strong collegiate background. Durban played at Indiana and is now the head coach at Samford University. Adams played at West Alabama and within the past week became the head coach at West Georgia. She had previously been an assistant coach at the University of Toledo. Heffner has joined Durban's coaching staff at Samford for the upcoming season after having completed her playing career at the University of Alabama. Heffner received All-American honors in college.
Each member of the instructional staff comes from a different playing background. Durban was a setter, Heffner was an outside hitter and Adams was a middle hitter.
Durban emphasized the importance for setters to have both leadership and athleticism.
While hitters usually get the glory in volleyball, Adams said there must be great communication between the hitter and the setter.
Heffner agreed with Adams' point.
The Brewton Area YMCA Camp began Monday and concludes today. Players were divided into age groups of seventh through 12th grade and fourth through sixth grade.
Heffner added it is a lot easier to correct individual mistakes with a smaller group.
Volleyball is becoming a more established product in the local school systems. Next fall will be the fourth year for the sport at T.R. Miller and W.S. Neal High Schools.
Durban said there are also other avenues to play.
See CAMP Page 8A
program here and players can use it. There are also all kinds of club teams for players of all ages. That's an area I strongly recommend, especially for the high school players," Durban said.
Club volleyball made its debut in this area this past winter, as the Pensacola Beach Volleyball Club was formed under the direction of former Jefferson Davis Community College player and Southwest Georgia State recruit Holly Almony.