Lincoln Community Learning Centers students were able to dig plenty of volleyball victories this winter in a new league full of encouragement and excitement.
Students at eight CLC sites participated in a pilot program that featured volleyball practices and games. Arnold, Campbell, Clinton, Everett, Holmes, Huntington, McPhee and West Lincoln held events as part of their after-school CLC activities. Dozens of children learned about teamwork, cooperation and physical fitness as they improved their skills each week.
Campbell fourth grader Niah and fifth grader Gloria were part of an eight-person team at the school. Both said they were happy they had decided to join the activity.
“We get to play against different schools and we get to meet new people,” Niah said.
“I wanted to try something different,” Gloria said. “I’ve played every other sport. I know how to play football, basketball and soccer, so I wanted to try out volleyball.”
On the other side of the net, McPhee head coach Kelsey Lubke led her team in a series of warmups before squaring off against Campbell.
“It’s been so much fun to see them have fun with this,” Lubke said. “They’re building their confidence every time they step on the court, and they’ve been able to make new friends and have fun together. It’s been a really good experience for them.”
Lincoln CLC has been offering several new sport-based activities over the past two years as a way to increase physical fitness and promote lifelong skills. The organization started basketball and soccer games last year and added volleyball this winter.
Nebraska Wesleyan University students Madison Mlady and Rylee Iberg are interning with Lincoln CLC this year.
“I find a lot of fulfillment through it,” Mlady said. “It’s what I look forward to every day, going to watch them and seeing how they’ve grown from the last time I’ve gotten to see them the week before.”
Lubke said she and her assistant coach watched many McPhee athletes improve dramatically during the season. Only two of the 12 Mustangs had ever played volleyball before this winter.
“I’ve just been really impressed with the way they’ve worked together and how much they’ve learned,” Lubke said. “They’ve also learned all of these lifelong skills that they’ll use everywhere they go. It’s been really awesome to be a part of this.”
Learn more about Lincoln CLC programs and how they benefit LPS students at clc.lps.org.
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