Tampa Camp Team Update

Venice high brought almost 30 players to team camp this year to the University of Tampa. We divided the players into 3 groups with a varsity team and 2 jv teams. The 2 jv teams are playing in the varsity division. I coach one team and the 2 others are coached by former Venice Indian great, Julie howlett and the other team is coached by former Clearwater/Berkeley prep great, Sloane Baby. They both play for UT and have done an outstanding job. They know what it takes to be successful on the court. The first 2 days are basically working on different team skills while competing against other teams. Today we started the tournament. The 2 jv teams have done quite well in the lower level varsity division with the green team winning their pool tonight. The varsity with only 1 senior has gone undefeated in both pools with nice wins over Plant, Bishop Verot, ECS, Chiles, Tampa Prep, and Orangewood. All 3 Venice teams have made remarkable improvements on the court while establishing some team unity and cohesiveness going into the season. I love the culture we have in our program as our kids expect to win every time they step on the court. Also the food is outstanding as it is all you can eat and the pranks have been put away this year as we build a trust among one another. I try and read as many coaching books as possible during the summer and am currently finishing up Auburns Gene Chizik, "All In, what it takes to be the best".

What is a well coached team?

Well coached teams are motivated. Venice teams will play with energy and a visible passion that proves they are engaged in the process that their team and coaches have established. Teams will display fight and toughness and you usually cannot tell the score of the game by simply watching the actions and reactions of their players and coaches. This is just one aspect of the Venice Volleyball program. Tryouts will be Monday Aug. 8th. Times will be updated soon. Teams will practice each day till school begins. Players who make the Varsity squad will need to clear their schedule for 2 weeks as we will hold practices twice a day as well as some team activities in the evenings.