Lady Bearcat senior volleyball player Kaylee Ray spent the first part of this week paying it forward as she was a player instructor at the Little Cats volleyball camp.
“I love it. It’s fun,” Ray said of the Little Cats camp. “Seeing who is interested in it, teaching kids what I enjoy doing.”
Obviously it is a little too early to really tell, but as to whether she identified a future star within the 43 campers, Ray did say, “there were a lot of good players.”
Maybe there is a future Kaylee Ray in the group.
After all, Ray’s enthusiasm for the game was sparked at an elementary age as well. However, she did not take part in a camp similar to the one this week.
Instead, she learned the game from a former Lady Cat volleyball player, her sister, Emily Nelson.
Ray grouped the help of playing at home with her sister, junior high learning, and athleticism into a starting role for the Lady Bearcats the past two seasons.
Ironically, both Ray and Nelson, a 2021 graduate, have both had matches in which they were both a perfect 21-for-21 on serves.
Ray seldom rotates off of the floor, slamming down kills and setting up teammates from the front and also roaming the back row to include serving.
“I am super excited for what Kaylee is going to bring to the team this season,” said head coach Bailey Stringer. “Being her senior year I know she wants to leave a mark and I have a feeling that’s exactly what she will do.
“To know Kaylee is to love her.”
Summer practice for the final season for Ray and eight other seniors began last week and continued this week in addition to the camp roles for the up and coming players.
Besides the Little Cats camp, summer volleyball under Stringer typically includes a team camp in Branson, Mo., an overnight bonding camp on the practice floor (safe room), as well as anything but a water bottle and dress-up days.
It will be a lot to miss once it is over.
“It’s sad being a senior. You’ve got to soak it all in,” said Ray.
It is even more important for Ray because her athletic involvement starts and ends with volleyball.
“This group of seniors were my first group of baby seventh graders when I got to Booneville so it will be a bittersweet season,” said Stringer.
The regular season for the Lady Cats starts on August 21 at Lavaca.
