May 2, 2010
SAN DIEGO - The Aztec Women's Volleyball team closed out its spring schedule with an important community outreach project. Through partnerships with the Downtown and Jackie Robinson branches of the YMCA, the Aztecs volunteered their time to put on two volleyball clinics for the youth of San Diego.
Last week, students from the Monarch School of San Diego and Audubon School attended this special after-school program provided by their local YMCA. The Aztec women taught volleyball fundamentals and cultivated a positive environment for the youth.
Sophomore setter Casey Klein (Pasadena, CA) said, "The whole experience overall was eye-opening for me and has made me want to continue to participate in reaching out to the community. I realize that I am so lucky to get the chance to play college sports and would love to continue sharing my knowledge. The kids were so optimistic and fun; the experience was extremely gratifying and rewarding."
Executive Director of the Downtown YMCA, Dan Duncan, facilitated the Aztecs participation with the Monarch students and shared the following:
"The clinic put on by the SDSU Volleyball Team provided underprivileged at-risk youth the opportunity to learn and apply valuable volleyball skills, structured drills and activity, meeting collegiate athletes as role models and mentors.
"Coach Collins-Parker, Coach Terrill and team members had the youth moving from one structured activity and drill directly into the next...but also made the drills funs and exciting--not only improving their coordination and hustle, but their listening skills and ability to follow directions. They made these kids feel like part of the team and I am not sure who had the most fun, the youth or SDSU athletes."