The summer coed volleyball camp, among Harker’s most popular summer offerings, gave students of many skill levels the chance to hone their skills under the instruction of top-level instructors. Fun was the top priority at the camp, which grouped students by age and skill level and included warm-ups, drills, volleyball-themed games and team play.

“We’ve had many returning campers, which is a sign we’re doing something right. That’s always very encouraging,” said Harker’s upper school athletic director and boys volleyball coach Dan Molin. A veteran coach of more than 20 years at the collegiate, high school and club levels, Molin co-directed the camp with Theresa “Smitty” Smith, who has worked at Harker for 22 years and was the 2007 Mercury News CCS Volleyball Coach of the Year.

Each day started with a dynamic warm-up session of stretches and ball-control exercises. Following a half-hour of team play, the campers moved to drill stations that emphasized various volleyball skills, including passing, setting, hitting and serving.

“Every year I come here I gain a little more experience,” said Ryan Sun, who will start grade 8 at BASIS in the fall. He added that “playing volleyball and probably the hitting” were his favorite parts of the camp.

Several Harker volleyball players also volunteered at the camp, acting as assistants and mentors to the campers. “I really like the sport. I also like working with kids and helping them get better,” said Harker student Taylor Iantosca, who enters grade 10 in the fall. “I like just being around people, and then doing something that I love on top of that. So it’s fun.”