Tyler Consolidated’s annual end of July volleyball camp was hosted by members of the Tusculum University coaching staff this year. A large number of participants from Tyler and Wetzel Counties turned out for the event.

There are some things that are simply synonymous with summer if you are a young person. Memorial Day weekend brings the opening of area pools. In June, area churches offer Vacation Bible School. And at the end of July, Tyler Consolidated HS hosts an annual volleyball camp which has become a summer tradition for the past fifteen years. However, this year was the first year the camp was conducted by the coaches at Tusculum University in Tennessee. Head Coach Danielle Marante, who was a four time All-American, served as the camp director. Her assistant, Coach Jason Morris, who is a coaching legend from the state of Florida, also worked the camp this year. Both had previously served as assistant coaches at Marshall University.

According to Coach Marante, the camp has continued to show growth the past three years. This year, several campers attended from New Martinsville Middle, Short Line, and Jackson Middle School, as well as a large turnout from Tyler County.

Coach Marante was quick to offer high praise for the area coaches who encouraged their payers to attend as well as the parents of all campers for making the special effort to provide the kids with this opportunity.

“Each year I’m amazed at the support given to the sport of volleyball in this area and the enthusiasm that the kids have,” said Coach Marante. Coach Morris chimed in by saying “Every camper showed a lot of improvement and just as important, they seemed to make new friends and have a lot of fun. And for sure we had a blast working with them.”

The coaches also wanted to thank Principal Kent Yoho for his support of the camp as well as Tyler County Superintendent of Schools Shane Highly for visiting the camp.

Next year’s camp has been set for the week of July 27th and will run from Monday to Thursday.