Lewis and Clark Volleyball Hosts Middle School Skills Clinic on Campus

Godfrey, Ill. — The Lewis and Clark Community College volleyball program welcomed athletes from more than seven local middle schools to campus for a middle school skills clinic designed to support player development and prepare young athletes for their upcoming school seasons.

Led by head coach Jenna Brown, the clinic provided focused instruction on the foundational skills of volleyball while giving participants an opportunity to learn in a collegiate environment.

"I was inspired to do a middle school prep clinic because I thought there could be a need for local players to get additional instruction before they enter their school season," Brown said. "My goal is to elevate the local volleyball talent, and this is one of the ways I can make connections and help with players' volleyball journeys."

Throughout the clinic, athletes rotated through stations emphasizing the core skills of the game, including passing, serving, setting, hitting, and defense. Brown said her primary focus was on incremental improvement and confidence building.

"My main goal was to get as many players in the gym as possible and help them get at least one percent better at different skills while building their confidence," she said.

A key element of the clinic's success was the involvement of current Lewis and Clark volleyball players, who worked directly with the middle school athletes during drills and instruction.

"The success of the clinic is because of the involvement of my current players," Brown said. "Younger players look up to college players, and they have a huge impact. I'm also a big believer that when you look at volleyball through a teaching lens, it improves your own personal game."

Hosting the clinic on campus also allowed Lewis and Clark to continue building positive relationships within the local community.

"It's great to host it on campus because it keeps exposing Lewis and Clark Community College in a positive light," Brown added.

Brown expressed her satisfaction with the turnout and the energy the athletes brought to the gym.

"Overall, I'm extremely happy with the turnout and the hard work that all the athletes put in," she said. "The group was coachable and brought a positive energy."

Looking ahead, Brown plans to make the clinic a recurring opportunity for local athletes, with the goal of hosting one Sunday each month to provide continued development and instruction.

Her advice to the athletes was simple but impactful.

"My advice is to continue setting goals for yourself when going into practices and clinics," Brown said. "Put high effort and positive energy into everything you do, and remember that progress takes time. Allow yourself to make mistakes, that's how you grow."

Written by Alexandra Dunn, Athletics Social Media Coordinator