Youngsters learn game of volleyball

NEW MADRID - Inside the gymnasium, the volleyball teams practiced serves along with hits and digs. Occasionally they took a lap around the court when their play failed to meet the coaches' expectations.

But these teams are different from many teams practicing on the volleyball courts across Southeast Missouri. Some of the players' heads barely reach the bottom of the net and getting the ball over that net is one of the greatest challenges.

As fourth, fifth and sixth graders learning the game of volleyball in the first community program ever offered in New Madrid, these past few weeks have proved to be a challenge and at the same time lots of fun agreed players, coaches and parents.

It was an idea that began over a year ago as New Madrid residents Melinda Springer and Michelle Karafa discussed the need for local girls to learn the fundamentals of volleyball before junior high school. Although they didn't know what response they would get, they spread the word about the program, which would meet from two hours each Tuesday evening and again every Saturday morning beginning Aug. 25. The first day some 40 girls were waiting to meet their coaches, including Karafa, Susan Wilkerson, Lisa Godwin and Bridgette Masterson.

"We realized we had a lot of girls who wanted to play volleyball and most of them had no idea what it was all about," Springer said about that opening practice.

The coaches began working on the basics but adding lessons the youngsters could carry over to any sport. Springer said the main focus of each practice and their games is good sportsmanship and teamwork.

Teams of 10 players each were created. The fourth graders would make up the two B teams while the sixth graders became part of the two A teams. Fifth graders, depending on their abilities, were split between the A and B teams.

They quickly learned about rotation, where the six players move from spot to spot on the court as the game progresses. Also they learned how to rotate out, ensuring each girl receives playing time, said Springer.

There were some challenges, too. While the girls are quick to giggle and talk among themselves, Springer said getting them to talk out loud on the court wasn't easy. "They had to learn to call for the ball. Most are too quiet, too reserved to be comfortable calling out and they had to learn to encourage each other on the court."

Serving the ball proved challenging as well. Springer's daughter, Caitlyn, 11, admitted sometimes it is just hard to get the ball over the net.

"But I'm getting better at serving," she said. "And I'm starting to learn how to get on my knee pads and learning to bump it a lot."

Leigh Ann Manley, whose daughter Anna, is one of the 40 participants, compares it to other Little League programs where youngsters can develop their skills. "When they are young is a good time to start, so they can learn the fundamentals before middle school," she said.

Also Manley saw it as an opportunity to share a sport she loved and played with her daughter, who also enjoys sports. For Anna, "it's just fun and you get to play with your friends."

Manley said she has watched her daughter and the other girls steadily improve. "You can see the girls learning more and more and getting better every week," she said. "The coaches are doing a wonderful job with the kids."

And Anna has noticed improvement in her game, too. "Serving is hard. I can't really get the ball over real well." Pausing Anna added with a bright smile "but I got all my serves over the other day!"

Karafa and Springer, who work together as the League's commissioners, are declaring the program a success. Tuesday will mark the end of the season with final games at the New Madrid Elementary School gym. It will be followed with the presentation of awards.

Everyone will walk away from the program with something, including the adults. Springer said she has learned how much she enjoys being involved with the youngsters and watching them improve.

Even though her daughter will be too old to participate next year, she and Karafa are planning to continue the league. Also Springer said she has applied for her officiating license for volleyball.

And she has enjoyed watching her daughter work toward achieving one of her goals.

"I've learned a whole lot more," said Caitlyn. "I think that when I get older, I will have a better chance of playing on the Middle School team."