Eagles volleyball practice on sand courts for a change of pace, fun

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News
 
During the summer, the Grain Valley girls volleyball team builds up for the regular season.

In 2025, the Eagles hosted their summer camp in late May and have played in summer league games and have had open gym and weightlifting sessions in June and July to work on their skills and conditioning before the season starts in late August.

However, there is usually a two-week period where the high school gym is shut down for maintenance and head coach Tori Squiers must find other places for her players to practices.

Two years ago, she came up with the idea for the team to practice at the sand volleyball courts at Wilbur Young Park to give her players a change of pace and a chance to have fun. It’s something the Eagles do at least once every summer.

Earlier this month, forty Eagles practiced on the sand courts and worked on passing the ball, jumping and changing directions in the sand, and played in 4 vs. 4 and 6 vs. 6 scrimmages.

“We like to get them out here to get a workout in and have some fun,” Squiers said. “It’s something to mix it up a little bit.”

Junior Amayah Richberg noted that there are benefits to training in the sand.

“I am glad we are getting to do it again,” Richberg said. “It helps you transition from going into the sand to being on the court. It helps me become a faster player.”

Added Squiers: “We are working on a lot of vertical stuff and lots of jumping. It’s hard to move in the sand, so we try to do a lot of sprints and changing directions. We also work on ball control, it’s hard to move.
Communication is still important. We also work on diving because it’s not as scary on soft sand.

“It keeps it fun and lighthearted.”

The workouts during the summer in general helps build chemistry between the incoming freshman and the returning varsity and junior varsity players. This season, the Eagles have around 25 freshmen who have participated in workouts this offseason.

Players like Richberg and senior Kayleigh Casey serve as mentors for the incoming freshman and show them what it’s like playing volleyball at the high school level.

“I think a lot of girls have come out this year,” Casey said. “It allows the younger players to be more involved since we have been here longer. We can show them what our drills are.

“We just start on the basics and build on them. We are trying to figure out who is going to be where. Just having a different environment to train in.”

Added Richberg: “We show them how to be leaders on the court and how to be loud and show them what it’s like to be a part of the program.”

The summer workouts give the experienced varsity players to improve their skills, as well.

“Every player at every level has improvements to make no matter if it’s small or big,” Squiers said. “We are trying to push every single person to reach their potential. We always talk about how every rep counts. Any time you can touch a volleyball, you don’t want to be sloppy.”

So far, through the summer Squiers has liked what she has seen.

​“We have had great numbers,” Squiers said. “I am excited for the season. The commitment has gone up, there are more showing up every day.”

Senior Kyleigh Casey leaps up and raises her arms during a blocking drill Wednesday at the sand volleyball courts at Wilbur Young Park in Blue Springs. Photo credit: Michael Smith

Junior Amayah Richberg sets the ball during a passing drill in summer workouts. Photo credit: Michael Smith