By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

SPRINGFIELD – Coach Brittany Lein says the Effingham County High School volleyball camp was all about sharing the love.

The Rebels held their annual camp Friday with about 60 girls – from second grade to eighth grade – in attendance. Lein, her assistant coaches and varsity players instructed the campers on technique, but mostly the camp was for fun.

“For some girls, this is the first time they’ve touched a volleyball,” Lein said. “We get the privilege of introducing the sport of volleyball to them.

“For some, this will have an impact on their lives. They’re going to want to play volleyball because of what they saw here, how much fun it is, and what a great sport it is. For others, their parents wanted them involved in camps in the summer so they put them in sports camps to keep them active.”

The camp has benefits for the varsity team as well. Lein hoped to raise about $4,000. The money will help offset the cost of the referees at home games and tournament expenses (hotel and meals) on the road.

Lein said new balls and nets are also needed.

“Volleyball in our county has grown. Volleyball at the recreation center is growing. We need to grow with it,” Lein said. “Not only are we giving back to the community, but this helps our program develop and provides us with the things necessary to make it grow. We just try to share the love of why we love volleyball.”