(Pictured are the participants in the Banzai Volleyball Camp. Front row (L-R), Sandy Santos, Madison Gravely, Olivia Simmons, Oakley Bird, Indri Dearaujo, Madison Akers, Maddie Rinehardt, Chloe Thompson; middle row (L-R), Adalyn Arnold, Kaya Harriman, Bailey Viers, Jayden Brown, Ryleigh Dean, Lorielle Saunders, Natalie Hinkley, Madison Hoback; back row (L-R), Ainsley Vaughan, Natalie Kinder, Gracie Painter, Jagger Davis, Campbell Ferrell, Isabella Osborne, Amelia Bausch, and Addison Elsea. Not pictured: Coach Kim Nelson, Coach Jan Harris, Coach Samantha Arnold, and Coach Aubrey Vaughan.)
After a three-year hiatus, the Banzai Volleyball Camp returned with 24 girls attending the week-long event.
It was a week filled with learning fundamentals, competition, and fun. The players competed on 2-on-2, 3-on-3, and 6-on-6 teams. They had hitting and serving competitions, and received awards each day for Hustler of the Day, Camper of the Day, and Play of the Day. Then, on Friday, at the conclusion of camp, they received overall camp awards, received a t-shirt, and a participation certificate.
On Friday, the Yetis, comprised of Gracie Painter, Oakley Bird, Lorielle Saunders, Ainsley Vaughan, Jayden Brown, Sandy Santos, Madison Gravely, Jayden Brown and Sandy Santos, won the 6-on-6 championship. The 2-on-2 winners were Gravely and Natalie Hinkley, while the 3-on-3 title went to Ryleigh Dean, Bailey Viers and Addison Elsea.
The placement hitting competition was won by Kaya Harriman and Santos the placement serving competition. The Sportsmanship Award went to Jagger Davis and Bird claimed the Spirit Award. There was a tie for the Most Improved younger player between Bird and Amelia Bausch. Hinkley captured Most Improved older player. The Top Server of the Week went to Vaughan and she also won the Hustler of the Week honors. Viers earned the Top Passer of the Week and Davis claimed the Top Hitter of the Week. Dean took Camper of the Week honors.