Pros pass on tips at camp
Friday, July 13, 2001
By Jens Carlson
MUSKEGON CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
How often do you get a chance to learn from a pro?
Members of the Inside Out Volleyball hitters-setters girls high school summer camp            were just that lucky Thursday afternoon.Three professional volleyball players from the
Association of Volleyball Professionals tour lent their tips, perspective and teaching ability
to the 12 camp members on the final day of the four-day camp. Adam Jewel, one of the top-ranked men on the tour, along with Heather Lowe and Carrie Wright helped out camp coordinator Rick Rykse.The pros are in Muskegon for the AVP Sunkist Michigan Open at Pere Marquette Beach."We are in town until at least Saturday so we might as well help out," said Lowe, a second-year pro. "We usually do this in the towns we visit. It is just a good way to spark interest in our sport."It is also a good way to teach young players. "I think having the girls see Adam slam the ball to the court is a real treat," said Rykse. "Plus, watching (Lowe and Wright) helps them to see just how hard a woman can hit." The highlight of the day was definitely the spiking demonstration by Jewel, who pleased the campers with monster hits that bounced off the hardcourt floor nearly 30 feet into the air.But the pros weren't there just to entertain.They supplied ample one-on-one teaching with each camp member. "I thought they were very helpful," said camper Jenny Lupien, a first-year volleyball player who plans on playing for Holton as a senior next year. "They didn't just tell you what to do, they showed us. I learned a lot." Asked what a young player should focus on,
Lowe and Wright offered slightly different opinions."Footwork is very important," said Lowe. Added Wright, "Good core strength and good balance is needed for power, but also you should keep it simple ... less is more." Jewel, with partner Nick Hennemann, is           seeded third this weekend in the men's main draw while Lowe and Wright are seeded 13th
in the women's main draw. Junior camp canceled A junior camp, set to kick off this weekend's volleyball action at Pere Marquette Beach on Thursday afternoon, was canceled due to lack of interest.AVP tour members were scheduled to instruct during that camp as well. "Next year we will try to get something together a little sooner," said Rykse. "There just wasn't enough time to get the word out."