DCSD Volleyball Clinic participants/coaches got together for a group shot after participating in drills to improve their games. (Photo by Ozzie Harrell)
A big kickstart to the 2023 volleyball season happened the end of June as DeKalb County held its annual Volleyball Clinic at Tucker High School to teach skills to a group of volleyball players prior to the start of the season this week and the DCSD Spikefest on Saturday.
The three-day event celebrating the sport of volleyball and provided invaluable skills training for high school athletes.
“With the remarkable leadership of Lorri Reynolds (Chamblee High Coach) and the collaborative efforts of the organizers and assistants coaches the clinic was a resounding success,” said Clarkston head coach Joie Bullock. “It fostered skill development, teamwork and a sense of community among the participants from different schools.”
One of the objectives of the clinic was providing aspiring athletes with an opportunity to enhance their skills, learn new techniques and receive specialized training from experienced coaches. A diverse range of drills the student athletes participated in were designed to challenge them to evaluate and maximize their skill set.
Coaches from throughout the county imparted their expertise and knowledge to the participants through this series of drills. Participants learned fundamental skills such as serving, passing and setting along with more advanced techniques in spiking and blocking as every aspect of the game was covered.
The attendees were also introduced to strategies and game scenarios to aid in their development of a deeper understanding of the sport.
Participation has continued to grow and help the event thrive in each successive year to enrich the lives of those directly involved and also raises the level of the sport of volleyball in the district. The clinic serves as a testament to the power of sports in shaping character, building relationships and inspiring future generations of athletes.
Learning during drills at the DCSD Volleyball Clinic held recently. (Photo by Ozzie Harrell)
After several matches this week the big kickoff of the season happens on Saturday with the DCSD Spikefest tournament involving all 19 DeKalb teams and Decatur in pool play at three different sites before bracket action later in the day.
Pool play is set for 8:00 am at Chamblee, Tucker and Druid Hills and should conclude by 12:30 pm before bracket play set for the teams determined by the mornings’ pool play is scheduled for a 1:30 pm start. Each match will consist of two sets.
Court 1 at Chamblee will consist of Chamblee, Southwest DeKalb, McNair and Columbia. Court 2 at Chamblee has Lakeside Clarkston, Lithonia and Cross Keys.
Tucker also plays host to two pools with Court 1 consisting of Dunwoody, Tucker, Miller Grove and Redan. Court 2 features Arabia Mountain, Decatur, Cedar Grove and Towers.
Druid Hills hos its own pool that includes Stephenson, Stone Mountain and M.L. King.
A point system with number of sets won will help determine which teams advance to the four brackets. The top five scoring teams in pool play will advance to the Gold Bracket at Chamblee. The Silver (Teams 6-10) and Bronze (teams 11-15) is set for Tucker and the Copper bracket (teams 16-20) heads to Druid Hills to compete.
Saturday, Aug. 12
POOL PLAY SCHEDULE
Chamblee Court 1 Schedule (First Match 8:00 am)
Chamblee vs. McNair
SW DeKalb vs. Columbia
Chamblee vs. Columbia
SW DeKalb vs. McNair
McNair vs. Columbia
Chamblee vs. SW DeKalb
Chamblee Court 2 Schedule (First Match 8:00 am)
Lakeside vs. Lithonia
Clarkston vs. Cross Keys
Lakeside vs. Cross Keys
Clarkston vs. Lithonia
Lithonia vs. Cross Keys
Lakeside vs. Clarkston
Tucker Court 1 Schedule (First Match 8:00 am)
Dunwoody vs. Miller Grove
Tucker vs. Redan
Dunwoody vs. Redan
Tucker vs. Miller Grove
Miller Grove vs. Redan
Dunwoody vs. Tucker
Tucker Court 2 Schedule (First Match 8:00 am)
Decatur vs. Towers
Arabia Mountain vs. Cedar Grove
Decatur vs. Cedar Grove
Arabia Mountain vs. Towers
Towers vs. Cedar Grove
Decatur vs. Arabia Mountain
Druid Hills Court 1 Schedule (First Match 8:00 am)
Druid Hills vs. Stone Mountain
Stephenson vs. M.L. King
Druid Hills vs. M.L. King
Stephenson vs. Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain vs. M.L. King
Druid Hills vs. Stephenson
Bracket Play – Begins at 1:30 pm at three sites