CHS volleyball competes at preseason camp in Branson

As the calendar turns to August, California High School sports will soon be back in session. With a new school year comes new opportunities for greatness for the CHS volleyball team.

The Lady Pintos hit the ground running to start their preparations for the upcoming year when they attended a team training camp in Branson July 26-28.

CHS volleyball head coach Julie Bailey wasted no time putting her team in a position to get some high-quality training; unlike most volleyball camps where young players learn the fundamentals of the game, the Branson camp gave California the opportunity to play the game against several teams they wouldn't normally see during the regular season.

"We competed against teams from Arkansas and Illinois, as well as some really competitive southwest Missouri schools," Bailey said.

More than anything, she said, Lady Pintos volleyball has always been built on a foundation of unity and camaraderie, another element the camp was able to foster.

"Branson also gives us a lot of time as a team to develop a bond on the court, as well as off the court," Bailey said. "The players get to have a lot of fun with their teammates competing in a sport they love, as well as developing a team connection in their free time."

Prior to the Branson camps, California's three volleyball coaches - Bailey, Erika DeMoss and Rebecca Eichelberger - hosted their own camp for high school players from across the state. That camp gave California's squad, along with many others, yet another chance to further develop their skills.

But in Branson, no such instructions would need to be given.

"Players did not receive individual instruction from any coach but California's coaches as they played in Branson," Bailey explained. "The team competed in nine matches over the course of three days. It gave individuals the chance to improve their skills while competing, (and) gave the team the time to develop in some challenging matches."

Bailey said she was satisfied with her team's performance and toughness throughout the camp with that in mind.

Entering the 2021-22 school year, the Lady Pintos have a trio of seniors who Bailey said are determined to make their final season at CHS the best of their high school careers.

"We have three seniors this year that will bring great experience and leadership to the team," Bailey said. "Ella Lewis is an all-state middle who will be a challenge to stop and has brought her blocking to a new level. Bailey Lage is our senior setter with beautiful hands and will be playing front row for us this year; she is quick, smart and a jumper. Rylee Hees is a defensive specialist who is quick to the ball and makes some amazing plays on the back row from quickness and hustle."

In addition to their varsity camp in Branson, the Lady Pintos' freshman and junior varsity teams have had a busy offseason in their own right. All three CHS teams traveled to another preseason camp in Jefferson City July 19-20, and the freshman team won their division.

The Lady Pintos now turn their sights to the beginning of the season at the end of August. They'll start with the team jamboree Aug. 26, and the varsity team's regular season opener will pit them against the Mexico High School Lady Bulldogs Aug. 31. Meanwhile, the JV squad will compete in the Tri-County JV Conference Tournament in Versailles Aug. 28.