The Lady Sharx Volleyball Club staged a summer camp, June 23-25, at Ceres High School.

“Our complete staff was there,” said Kelly Heese, Sharx founder/director/coach. “We got to relay our passion for the sport to kids in the community. It was very gratifying.”

More than 60 girls, aged 5-17, attended this year’s clinic.

“I extended the registration about a week,” Heese said. “I got 25 more people. I’m very happy with the numbers that came out and the talent that showed up. It was a very fun, positive atmosphere. Everybody was eager to learn.”

Heese and her coaching staff provided instruction from 6-7:30 p.m. inside Phil de la Porte Gymnasium during the three-day clinic.

“They’re all separated by their skill level,” she said. “It’s really valuable for the younger athletes. We introduce them to the sport and what they have to look forward to in the future. For the older ones, it (the camp) allows teammates to develop chemistry before the season starts.”

Emphasis was placed on serving, passing, setting, hitting, blocking, serve receive, defense, communication and team work.

“The main focus of the camp was to teach the fundamentals of the game and proper technique,” Heese said.

“It’s very important to teach smaller kids the whole process of the game at a younger age before they develop bad habits,” she added.

The Lady Sharx Volleyball Camp drew more than 60 participants for the second year in a row.

Cost was $100 per athlete and each camper received a T-shirt.

“We want to thank every athlete and family who came out to train with us,” Heese stated in a post on the Lady Sharx Instagram page. “It was exciting to watch players challenge themselves, build confidence, and continue growing both on and off the court. We hope everyone leaves feeling more prepared, motivated, and excited for the upcoming season. A huge thank you to our amazing coaching staff for their knowledge, encouragement, and passion for the game. We couldn’t do it without you!”

Heese has dedicated more than 25 years of her life to volleyball.

She doubled as head coach of Ceres High’s boys and girls volleyball programs for the fifth consecutive year in 2025-26.

“I coach because I love helping athletes discover what they’re capable of,” she said. “It’s more than a sport. You can teach them discipline, confidence, resilience, leadership and teamwork.”