Pepper Pike, OH--The Ursuline College volleyball team is helping build the next generation of athletes through a growing relationship with the St. Brendan 3rd Grade CYO volleyball team. 

During the preseason, the Arrows hosted a mini skill camp for the Navigators, giving the young athletes an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game from college players. The third graders practiced passing and serving alongside the Ursuline team before ending the day by watching the Arrows compete in a six-on-six match. 

The relationship continued when the Navigators were invited to attend an Ursuline volleyball match as special guests. The third graders walked onto the court alongside the Arrows squad as they were recognized as part of the starting-lineup introductions. 

During a set intermission, the Navigators also took part in a serving game, aiming their serves through hoops to earn points. The activity gave the young players a chance to showcase their skills while enjoying the excitement of competing in front of a crowd. 

Beyond teaching volleyball skills, the Ursuline players are providing the Navigators with positive examples to follow as they begin their athletic journeys. Through practices, competition and shared experiences, the Arrows are showing the young athletes that volleyball is about more than winning; it is also about teamwork, confidence, sportsmanship and character. 

"It's more than just a sport. That's what's so great about volleyball, and sports in general. It gets athletes in leadership roles and helps them build relationships with girls that look up to them," said Head Volleyball Coach Rachel Tolbert. "It gives the little girls aspiring to play a sport someone to look up to and want to be like. And it gives college athletes the ability to be a great role model in their community and spread the love of the game." 

Tolbert added, "This night was so special. We got to bring back our third-grade friends from St. Brendan to watch us compete in a conference match up. We heard them all night long cheering for us. It was so inspiring to see the girls and women in our sport getting together for something they love! We hope to continue doing this with them and more teams!"