ROCKINGHAM — One of the promises that Ashleigh Larsen said upon her hiring last summer as Richmond Senior High School’s head volleyball coach was to expand the sport’s roots in Richmond County.
And that’s exactly what Larsen is doing as she’s gearing up for her second season at the helm of the Lady Raiders.
The Richmond volleyball program will be hosting a summer camp for local youngsters, the first under Larsen’s watch, open to rising third graders through rising ninth graders. The four-day developmental camp will run from Monday, June 17, through Thursday, June 20, in Richmond’s gymnasium.
“All girls attending will come to develop basic skills and learn more about the game,” Larsen explained. “Hopefully the camp will continue to grow the interest of the sport around the community.
“Campers will also get to interact with former players who have moved on and current players at the high school,” she added. “The Lady Raiders are excited to share their knowledge and love of the sport with the younger girls.”
Helping Larsen will be first-year junior varsity head coach Melissa Dennis, who teaches at Washington Street Elementary School. Also returning to her old stomping grounds will be current college players Madelyn Chappell and Altman Griffin.
Chappell just wrapped up her junior year at Salem College, and was second on the team with 224 kills in 28 matches. Griffin, on the other hand, was red-shirted her freshman year at UNC-Wilmington, and is vying for more playing time this fall.
Both of whom were standout volleyball players while at Richmond, Larsen anticipates their collegiate experience to benefit this summer’s camp participants.
“Madelyn and Altman are two former athletes who showed that their love and dedication for the sport can lead to achieving their dreams of playing college ball,” Larsen said. “Both girls worked hard before, during and after season to show collegiate coaches that they were able to handle the next level.
“Richmond doesn’t have very many volleyball players sign to play in college and I think the girls will be excited to speak with them and learn from them,” she continued. “Madelyn and Altman can also bring new things they learned to the table that even our current players can learn from.”
While she hopes that campers will have fun while attending camp, Larsen’s main goal is to get younger players interested in volleyball. She noted that local athletes have access to becoming involved in recreational and travel soccer and softball in Richmond County, but up until recent years volleyball hasn’t been offered outside of the school setting.
The City of Rockingham and Browder Park introduced a parks and recreational program a few seasons ago, which Larsen said has helped spark interest. Every year, she added, the Lady Raiders get invited for an opening clinic and the numbers continue to grow.
“My hopes are to bring more girls in and increase their knowledge on basic terminology, positions and skills,” Larsen said. “Many people don’t know all the rules and the certain positions volleyball has, so I’d like for the girls to become more aware.”
More specifically, the camp will focus on the fundamentals of volleyball. Participants will work on passing or “bumping” a volleyball, setting and hitting. Younger girls can expect to spend time developing more of the basics, while the middle school and rising freshmen will focus basics as well as understanding the different positions and rotations.
“We’re aiming to bring the love of the sport with some fun to keep the girls’ interest spiked each day,” Larsen closed.
Cost for the camp is $55 per player if signed up ahead of the first day of camp, and the cost includes a camp t-shirt. Late registration is $60 per player.
Each day will begin at 8:30 a.m. and run through 11:30 a.m. Registration forms can be picked up at RSHS’ main office, FirstHealth Fitness, Browder Park or Merle Norman. Checks can be made payable to Richmond Senior High School and mailed to the attention of Ashleigh Larsen.
For any further questions, contact Larsen at 910-997-9812.
