Lady Mustangs already preparing for approaching season

We’re less than two months from Aug. 3 and the start of volleyball tryouts.

The Grapevine squad will be targeting that date as it prepares to defend its district title and extend its season past last year’s regional quarterfinals.

Between now and then, though, players of all ages will be looking to enhance their skills and readying for the upcoming season.

One element toward that end is the Lady Mustangs volleyball camp June 15-18.

The camp is open to grades 3-6 in the morning sessions and for grades 7-9 in the afternoon.

Giving the school district’s younger players knowledge of the game and developing their abilities is critical to continuing the success of the high school program, said Grapevine head coach Kori Cooper.

With the Lady Mustangs graduating six seniors from the district title team, they’ll rely on younger players with experience to step up and continue the tradition.

“We have a good nucleus coming back,” Cooper said, noting there will be three sophomores, three seniors and an exciting batch of incoming freshmen. “We’ll be somewhat young.”

The skills camp will target volleyball skills including passing, serving, attacking, blocking and defense and offensive systems.

Game-like scenarios will help the participants demonstrate the techniques and skills.

The summer isn’t just for the Lady Mustangs-to-be. The high school team will have its own camp at the end of July. College coaches will come in to conduct the camp for Grapevine.

In addition, the team will be involved in strength and conditioning along with other Grapevine teams. By Aug. 3, Cooper said she’ll want to see that the team has worked hard to stay in shape.

Cooper said by the time the workouts start, there won’t be much time to focus on conditioning, as the first scrimmage will be on Aug. 7 with the first game coming shortly thereafter on Aug. 11.

“We want our conditioning to be in peak shape and we’ll need to stay healthy,” Cooper said. “We don’t want to start with any injuries. It will be clear in August who has been working and who hasn’t.”

With Cooper entering her second year at Grapevine, the team was able to further build on offense and defense in the spring offseason workouts. Cooper came in time for a team camp last year, but this will be her first skills camp.

Many of the team members will also be playing in summer or beach volleyball leagues.

Once the workouts are over, the season starts with a bang. The Lady Mustangs will be in a Houston invitational on Aug. 13-15 and then at North Plano for a tournament before the district season schedule commences.

Among the district challengers, Cooper said Lake Dallas and Birdville will be some of the top competition challenging for the top of the rankings.

For girls interested in the skills camp hosted at the high school, cost is $90 and more information can be obtained by e-mailing Cooper at kori.cooper@gcisd.net.

This story was originally published June 8, 2015 at 3:37 PM with the headline "Lady Mustangs already preparing for approaching season."