Saint Bernard Lady Saints experienced great interest in the girl’s volleyball program. Recently Shannon Mescher accepted the position as volleyball coach, and decided it was time to take a new direction with her young team by hosting the team’s first ever volleyball clinic through professionals at Middle Tennessee State University.

Under the direction of Alicia Lemauu and Queen Nzenwa, the team worked on basic fundamental skills, as well as building a team chemistry. Lemauu has played collegiate volleyball at MTSU, and Queen Nzenwa was a University of Kentucky standout and has played volleyball professionally for Spain and Finland. She will continue her professional career this coming year in France.

Both ladies have worked at many of the high schools in Cullman County throughout the summer, but have been most impressed with the campus and facilities St. Bernard offers. “I would compare St. Bernard to any community college campus,” Lemauu said. “As a matter of fact, I am quite jealous. My old high school didn’t have this.”

Nzenwa , who attended boarding school in Nigeria, echoed her comments by stating how impressed she was to find the gym up to health codes. “The facilities are just awesome.”

Sixteen girls attended and worked on techniques and drills. “These girls were very coachable. Normally with young girls there is a level of frustration. They certainly made our job easier by absorbing the information and being very open minded,” Lemauu said.

Mescher knows the road ahead of her young team will be challenging, but is pleased with the team’s dedication. “While our teams have been working on conditioning all summer, this camp has been a great opportunity to provide our junior varsity and varsity girls with not only fundamental techniques but also a team building spirit.”

Parents were involved in the clinic making sure the girls were eating a health diet by providing well balanced meals prepared in the gymnasiums kitchen. “We had such wonderful support, and are very thankful for all of their work preparing the nutritious meals,” Mescher said.

The Lady Saints will open their first home season game against Asbury on August 18, at 4:30 p.m. in the Fazi-Richard Athletic Center. To follow the Lady Saints visit the website at www.stbernardprep.com