Youngsters get head start at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy Junior Volleyball Camp
LA CAÑADA — For a brief time, the sun appeared through the glass roof of the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy gymnasium.
At the south end of the air-conditioned building, a throng of between 15-20 campers worked on hitting drills while sometimes looking into the sun.
It didn’t seem to faze any of the participants, who blocked out the distraction while taking part in the fifth annual Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy Junior Volleyball Camp.
“You have to be ready for any kind of situation,” said Teagan O’Hara, 13. “The one thing I like about this camp is that you get very good feedback from the coaches because they want to see you succeed while playing the game.
“I’m here just to be consistent with my overall game. I’m a libero and defensive specialist, so you pick up on the things that are taught. I’m trying to improve my swing and arm angle.”
The camp, which featured six separate sessions, is geared mostly for ages 6-13 and all skill levels with an emphasis on helping the campers evolve their overall skills.
The event is conducted by Flintridge Sacred Heart Coach Ernest Banaag, a former All-Area Girls’ Volleyball Coach of the Year, and his assistants. Current and former Tologs have also attended the camp, which started Monday and will finish Friday.
Flintridge Sacred Heart assistant Trent Tcheng said the camp continues to attract participants from around the area and neighboring cities.
“People come here with different skill sets and that’s great,” said Tcheng, who saw Flintridge Sacred Heart split the Mission League title with Marymount before it advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division I-AA playoffs last season. “It gives us a chance to help them improve their overall game and having fun at the same time.
“You can see they want to come here and really learn. They want to become more knowledgeable.”
The campers went from one station to another to work on passing, serving, setting and more.
“I come here thinking every single drill is so important,” said 13-year-old Gabi Miller, a Pasadena resident who initially attended the camp last summer. “If you can do all of the drills the right way, you then become more confident.
“I mostly play libero, but you have to be set to step in and ready to play any position if need be. That’s why all of the drills are huge. You have to be ready for anything.”
Tcheng said the two most important drills from the outset are serving and passing.
“There’s so much value in those two drills,” Tcheng said. “Its got a lot to do with having the right foot work and being in the right position at all times.”
The camp will hold a sixth and final session. It will run Monday through Aug. 5.
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Charles Rich, charles.rich@latimes.com
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
