Children get chance to be coached by the Herd

HUNTINGTON -- Marshall volleyball coach Mitch Jacobs is finally enjoying a week where he can sleep in his own bed, eat dinner at his own table and visit with his family.

That doesn't mean he is on a week-long break from volleyball.

Quite the opposite actually.

Jacobs and his entire family are busy at Cam Henderson Center helping 75 young volleyball enthusiasts learn about the sport.

"I think it's great that the camps have grown to where we really can't take any more kids," Jacobs said. "In a specialized camp like this, you really can't put any more than that."

It's the first of two camps for Jacobs and his staff this week, but the two camps could not be any more different.

The current camp, which ends today, focuses on giving kids age 10 to 15 the general skills of the game.

There is also a specialty section included for players age 14 to 18 who want to focus on a particular skill, such as attacking or setting.

While volleyball is the main focus, Jacobs also is looking past the realm of the sport he coaches.

"What I keep trying to promote is that every one of these kids in camp is a potential Marshall University student," Jacobs said. "Not all of these kids are potential Marshall volleyball players. Only 1 in 1,000 high school volleyball players get to play at the Division I level. These kids just want to learn and get better for varsity."

Not only is Jacobs enjoying watching young players improve their game, he also is watching as his players teach the younger generation the game.

Marshall players helped out with the team camp, but it was more of an organizational role they played. Now, they are actually teaching the proper skills and techniques.

"I like to watch our players teach because it shows how much they have learned what we are doing and who grasps the ideas better than others," Jacobs said.

With the general skills and specialty camp wrapping up with today's sessions from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Jacobs' focus will change to the High Potential Camp, which begins Thursday.

The intensity level of the coaching and play goes up significantly for the High Potential Camp, which is geared toward players looking to make it to the Division I level.

Jacobs said players will be coming in from all around the nation and it will be a chance for him to evaluate some of the top players who have an interest in Marshall University.