Seymour volleyball head coach Angie Lucas can remember a time where there wasn’t a great turnout at the team’s youth volleyball camp.

That is no longer the case as the Owls host their camp this week at Seymour Middle School for grades 3 through 8.

“It’s been definitely a change because when I came back five years ago, we had 25 girls at camp,” Lucas said. “Now, we have over 100, and it’s really great. It goes to show that volleyball is growing in this town and the community. It’s just really fun to see that and teach what we know.”

The camp has seen an increase in attendance every single year over the last five. Lucas feels like the season Seymour had in 2021 was a big part of the turnout this year.

In 2020, the Owls went 15-15, but last year, the team went 26-5 and at one point had a 17-match win streak.

“Kids are seeing volleyball can be really fun, and they want to be a part of that, and again, the high school kids have set great examples,” Lucas said. “The high school kids helping, it means everything. They’re great models.”

Junior Breanna Lawrence definitely feels what it’s like to be a role model at the camp.

“It’s a lot of fun. It’s actually an honor to do this because they look up to us,” Lawrence said. “When I did this, I remember looking up to the high school players and wanting to be like them, so it’s thrilling to help them and make them want to come play.”

The campers are split into two groups in separate gyms at the middle school. The third-, fourth- and fifth-graders are on one side, while the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders are on another.

Both groups get taught the four basic skills — passing, serving, setting and hitting. The outcome of the drill is usually altered depending on the age. For example, coaches and players will toss the ball in for the younger age group to get things going, while the older age group will get to serve on their own.

The camp is from 1 to 3 p.m. through Thursday. One hour is for skill development, and one hour is for match play.

Seymour also has themes for each day of camp. Today’s camp is twin day, Wednesday is wacky hair day and Thursday is beach day. Lawrence said she is twinning with Delaney Thomasma for today.

“I think that part of the camp makes it fun for the girls,” Lawrence said.

Earlier this summer, Seymour had a youth clinic taught by former Owl Jessica Lucas, who is currently an assistant coach for Western Kentucky University volleyball.

“That was a really great clinic,” Angie said. “We did a setting clinic in the morning and then a passing and serving clinic in the afternoon. She had some of her former teammates come help, as well, so it was really great having a different perspective. It was a great turnout.”

Right now, the Seymour High School team plays in two leagues. The Owls play at Jennings County on Mondays and in Indianapolis on Thursdays.

Next week, Seymour will have a team camp with Munciana Volleyball.

“We’re excited,” Lucas said. “Our month of July is full of fun activities for the girls.”

Before they know it, the 2022 season will be here. The Owls are looking to build off of the momentum from last year and carry it into the fall.

“This coming fall, we’re really excited,” Lawrence said. “We have almost the entire varsity team returning. We have Cali (Cummings), Addi (Lemon) and Olivia (Fish) as our seniors. We’re all really excited because we all believe we’re going to make it past sectional this year. It gives us something to work toward.”