By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL / Staff Writer

Victory Baptist Church and Chilton Christian Academy are partnering for a second year to host a Gems Volleyball League for third to sixth grade girls, open this year to the Chilton County community.

“We don’t have anything like this for volleyball in our county at all, so we definitely want to give anybody who would like to come participate the opportunity to play,” Marilyn Jones of CCA said.

Jones said the league allows for a sort of “little league” foundation for young girls who may want a head start to playing volleyball when they are older.

“It’s focused on teaching basics of volleyball and making it a playable game for young athletes,” Jones said. “We have a little bit different rules for it, to guarantee that everybody gets an opportunity to touch the ball during the game.”

For example, serves are limited to four serves per person, before rotating and allowing the other team to serve.

“It keeps them moving in different rotations, so that they’re not stuck in one position the whole game and maybe lose to just one server,” Jones said, adding that the server line is also moved closer to the net.

“There’s not a lot of volleying at the beginning of the season, but towards the end of the season, they do get the idea of passing the ball and setting it, and then passing it over to the other team,” Jones explained.

Beginning in early February, the league will practice for three weeks before playing the five following weeks.

“Usually, we’ll try to play one to two games a week,” Jones said.

The season is set to conclude the weekend of March 24, prior to spring break.

“We do play for a championship at the end of the season,” Jones said, “but the focus is not necessarily championship, it’s learning volleyball.”

Young girls interested in a small taste of the season can participate in a free clinic on Jan. 20, from 9 a.m. to noon.

“We are going to learn some skills for volleyball, and then play some games and just get them on the court and let them see what it’s kind of going to be like, if they want an idea,” Jones said.

Varsity volleyball players for CCA and other adult helpers coach the girls.

Clinic participants are not required to join the league.

Clinic registration ends Jan. 18.

League registration ends Feb. 10. The cost for league registration is $100, which covers uniform, game and tournament fees and first-place trophy expenses.

Clinic, practice and games will be held at Chilton Christian Academy, located at 23240 U.S. Highway 31 in Jemison.

For more information or to register for either opportunity, call the school office at (205) 688-4454 or email gemsvolleyball@yahoo.com