PrepDig+: Inside College Volleyball Camps. Part 2

As the buzz of the National Championships fades, the spotlight shifts to College Volleyball Camps, where prospects across the nation are hitting the road to visit campuses and gyms where they aspire to play one day. This is a thrilling time to immerse oneself in the atmosphere of potential future homes and to understand the coaches' philosophies and personalities. It's also a critical time to focus on the five steps to achieving success: Prepare, Research, Resume, Network, and Interview. Attending a college camp demands thorough preparation to ensure readiness to compete at a higher level right in front of college coaches. Research is key to identifying the best camps—those that align with your goals and have shown interest in your talents. These visits become valuable additions to your resume, enhancing your profile with attendance, pictures, and highlights. Networking reaches its peak as you engage with college coaches, their staff, trainers, and, most importantly, current players who offer genuine insights into the program's culture. The interview, the camp itself, is the ultimate test.   We spoke with some prospects about their camp experiences, and they shared invaluable insights.      <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/image_b04a1b.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-570520" style="width:268px;height:auto" /></figure>   I attended the University of Pittsburgh (PITT) Camp in July because I am very interested in their volleyball program. I aimed to gain a better understanding of their program elements, get to know the coaches and their styles, and gain insight into their team culture. At the camp, I learned in-depth techniques on passing and hitting, which are critical elements of the game. One of my favorite moments at PITT was talking to players like Olivia Babcock and Tory Stafford. As fellow California natives, I was able to ask them about their transition to the East Coast and their rigorous school and training schedules. I also got a sense of the team's authenticity and how they consider each other family, which is really important to me since the school is so far from home.   My advice for attending these camps is not to be afraid. Take advantage of the time to make new friends, have fun, and be yourself. College camps can be intimidating because you want to perform well and avoid mistakes in front of the coaches and other great players, but errors are part of the game. Just focus on the next ball, work on your skills, and step out of your comfort zone. After the camp, I connected with and thanked the coaches and players on social media, and I plan to catch some of their games when the team plays in Southern California. I'll also follow up with an email and plan to incorporate their feedback and tips into my development plan for this upcoming high school season. Provided to Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig         <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/image_e7012a.png?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-570515" style="width:208px;height:auto" /></figure>   I attended the Cal State University of Long Beach Prospect Camp to further improve my skills and grow as a player. Long Beach State has always had a great program, and I knew their coaches and players would provide valuable knowledge.   During the camp, I learned many new techniques and ideas that enhanced my overall skill set. For example, I discovered the importance of naturally breaking my platform after contacting the ball during serve receive. This helped me stay loose and guide the ball more accurately. While doing drills and participating in tournament-style 6-on-6 play, this technique improved my passing and created better opportunities for my team.   One of my favorite experiences was the tournament-style 6-on-6 play on the second day. I enjoyed applying the new ideas and knowledge the coaches provided in an actual game setting. Playing with and against girls from around the country and a few Long Beach State players was a lot of fun.   One piece of advice I'd give to other high school players attending a college camp is to challenge yourself by being open to trying new drills and techniques, and not being afraid to make mistakes. I plan to follow up with the coaches by sending thank-you emails to express how much I enjoyed the camp and their helpful feedback. I also plan to continue my relationships with the players I met by attending some of the team's matches and cheering them on during the fall season. Go Beach! Provided to Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig         <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/image_956f86.png?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-570516" style="width:243px;height:auto" /></figure>   The University of San Diego is one of the schools on my dream list, and I wanted to get a better feel for the school and its program. The 2024 University of San Diego Elite Volleyball Camp was truly elite, and I aimed to present my skills as well as compete with other top athletes.   Participating in this camp helped me focus more on my passing and keeping my platform away from my body. It helped me better understand the game because everything starts with a pass. I received elite skills training and lots of repetitions in a short amount of time, which sharpened my skills and positioning.   I have many memorable experiences from the camp. First, the campus is absolutely beautiful, with views that are one of a kind. I was impressed by the strong bond between Jen Petrie (Head Coach) and Carlos Moreno (Associate Head Coach) and their current athletes. Both coaches had a pleasant presence that made me feel welcomed and valued. I also had the opportunity to play with the current players, which was a good challenge for me. The camp was structured to provide drills focusing on a variety of specific skills.   College camps offer an unforgettable experience. You will meet many players who are either better than you or at the same level, pushing you to be the best you can be. The college camp experience helps you learn more about the college itself, the team, the coaches, and their coaching styles. It's pretty cool to be in the presence of real college coaches, learning from them and receiving feedback. You get a feel for what it's like to be an athlete there.   I plan to follow up with the coaches by sending a thank-you email that includes a picture of us at the camp, along with a recent highlight video. I will also let them know why I am interested in USD. I will continue to keep the coaches updated with any new footage and inform them of my volleyball schedule and events to remind them that I am out there. As for the players I met, we followed each other on Instagram to stay connected. Provided to Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig         <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/07/image_f6c727.png?w=949" alt="" class="wp-image-570518" style="width:235px;height:auto" /></figure>   I attended the All-American Camp at Cal Lutheran University because I had previously visited the school and enjoyed the campus, the volleyball program, and the coaches. My goal was to establish a stronger connection with the coaches and showcase my skills in front of them.   The camp was incredibly beneficial, teaching me how to collaborate with unfamiliar teammates while refining my skills to align with the coaches' preferences. It also offered a glimpse into college-level training sessions, as many of the drills we practiced mirrored those used by college teams. With its Olympics theme, the camp divided us into teams for various events, allowing me to bond with a group of girls, with whom I remain in close contact. Besides volleyball drills, we also enjoyed activities like synchronized swimming and pickleball.   For other girls attending college camps, my advice is to have fun and not put too much pressure on themselves, as this can influence how coaches perceive them. It's important to put in the effort, but equally vital to enjoy the experience and be authentic. Overall, I had a fantastic time at the camp and plan to stay in touch with the coaches and players to further familiarize myself with their program. Provided to Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Stay tuned for more prospects sharing their insights about their camp experiences.</h2>   If you loved this article, make sure to follow our Instagram page, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PrepDigCA</a> for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes action.   By subscribing to PrepDig, you're not just supporting coverage of your favorite events – you're also helping to shine a spotlight on talented prospects.   To see even more events and athletes featured, spread the word and encourage your friends to subscribe to <a href="https://prepdig.com/">PrepDig.com</a>.   Let's keep growing this positive player platform and create unforgettable memories and experiences together with your support.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thank you for being part of the journey!</h2>

As the buzz of the National Championships fades, the spotlight shifts to College Volleyball Camps, where prospects across the nation are hitting the road to visit campuses and gyms where they aspire to play one day. This is a thrilling time to immerse oneself in the atmosphere of potential future homes and to understand the coaches' philosophies and personalities. It's also a critical time to focus on the five steps to achieving success: Prepare, Research, Resume, Network, and Interview. Attending a college camp demands thorough preparation to ensure readiness to compete at a higher level right in front of college coaches. Research is key to identifying the best camps—those that align with your goals and have shown interest in your talents. These visits become valuable additions to your resume, enhancing your profile with attendance, pictures, and highlights. Networking reaches its peak as you engage with college coaches, their staff, trainers, and, most importantly, current players who offer genuine insights into the program's culture. The interview, the camp itself, is the ultimate test.