It’s never too early to start planning ahead. Just ask Jemison volleyball coach Leighsa Robinson.

Her squad won’t play a match until the fall, but they’re already working on the finer points of their game during their annual two-day camp.

The camp is being led by former University of Alabama and current Birmingham-Southern coach Judy Green, and held in Jemison’s own Alton Cobb Gymnasium.

Robinson says the combination of having someone with Green’s renown teaching in the comfort of the Panther’s home court is hard to beat.

“Being here allows for the players to get individual attention,” she said. “The coaching expertise and the quality of the coaches is tremendous.”

Green said she felt that the players’ desire to learn is what made the difference.

“The most remarkable thing about Jemison is that I know the work ethic comes from a long tradition,” she said. “People at Jemison love the game of volleyball and want to be good at it.”

Green said the main thing being worked on during the camp’s four sessions were the skill areas of the game.

“We try to identify where they need to improve skill wise,” she said. “If you can’t pass and serve, the rest really doesn’t matter.”

Robinson felt she had several players ready to have a breakout year, and that the team was becoming more and more focused on winning.

“Our setter, Lauren Price, has big shoes to fill, but she’s been working on her conditioning in the off season,” she said. “Morgan Posey and Tanya Liveoak both played club ball in the off season and are working hard. It’s more than a game to [the team].”

Coach Robinson also said she felt confident about her squad, given the hard work being put in.

“We pride ourselves on hard work,” she said. “When you expect more, you get more. If you don’t mind working hard, and have dedication, you’ll accomplish great things.”