Burnet volleyball preparing for busy July
CAPTION: The Burnet Consolidated Independent School District volleyball program will conduct its Lady Dawg camp next week directed by head coach Crystal Shipley (standing and applauding, left) and assistant coaches Brent Kelley (seated, right) and Treasure Ellerbe. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
Days remains before the start of the 2026 Burnet Consolidated Independent School District volleyball camp, which is Monday-Wednesday, July 27-29.
Third- through sixth-graders will camp from 8:30-10:30 a.m., while seventh- through ninth-graders will take the court from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Head coach Crystal Shipley, who is the camp director, pointed out the camp, especially for the freshmen, serves many purposes. The two biggest are that they are can see how a high school practice is conducted and they get instruction from the head coach and the varsity staff.
“That is exactly why it is important,” she said. “They get a chance to work with us, get to know us before we start two-a-days. We love getting to know them early so it isn’t as ‘nerve-wracking’ for them on Aug. 1 (the official start of practices).”
And she was equally excited about seeing the elementary-aged children take the court.
“We also love getting to be with the younger kids in our community and developing a love for volleyball and the Lady Dawgs,” the coach said.
An added treat for this year’s camp is that some returning Lady Dawgs will serve as counselors. For some campers, it may be their first chance to meet the high school players whose matches they saw a year ago.
“I will have some of our returning high school girls helping our high school staff to give more of a small group atmosphere, especially when we work on position type drills,” Shiple said.
After a handful of practices, the Lady Dawgs will travel to Stephenville for scrimmages Aug. 8.
Shipley noted the Lady Dawgs have taken advantage of summer strength and conditioning, summer league play in numerous sports, and other opportunities to improve individually so they can return ready to set and meet goals for the 2026-27 school year.
“July helps get acclimated to the heat and the hours they are about to spend in practices, tournaments, meets and games,” she said. “If they have done nothing in July, it will be obvious and will make it hard to keep up with those who have been working. July is when we get ahead of the competition. The big factor is just building the trust and chemistry within our teams. There’s just something about teams that work together in the offseason when they don’t have to – they choose to. It builds a different level of trust and commitment within the program.”
