Camp takes players to ‘next level’

The Marianna High School gym was the setting for yet another “next level” training for high school volleyball players. Marianna volleyball coach Belinda Christopher invited 33 girls to a three-day camp that concluded Saturday. The girls reported at 9 a.m. every day and were drilled for six hours, their day ending at 3 p.m.

Pensacola Junior College volleyball coach Pete Pena conducted the camp throughout the three days.

“This was a rare chance for me to stand back and observe the skills, exercises and moves coach Pena uses with his players at the next level,” Christopher said.

Players represented Liberty County, Chipley and Sneads, as well as Marianna High School.

“Most of these players were ones who have played club (volleyball) for at least one yea,r or who are seniors and have the potential to play at the next level,” Christopher said. “Coach Pena signed one of our seniors (Jordan Sonaglia) this year, so he knows the talent we have in this area. It was a great opportunity for them to work on their techniques as well as a great opportunity for him to see what talent the Panhandle has to offer.”

Marianna was well represented, with three of the five seniors signing with junior colleges to play at the next level. Christopher is convinced that players must play outside the allotted number of games for regular season high school to reach their maximum potential.

“The girls that signed this year all played club volleyball for me for at least three years, they played the summer league and trained just like athletes in other sports, practically year round,” she said. “As the number of signees indicate, it definitely paid off for them. We have Janna (Hinson) and Randa (Hickman) going to Gulf Coast Community College on scholarships, and then Jordan (Sonaglia) will be at PJC.”

The camp concluded Saturday with every girl being presented a camp T-shirt by Pena.