Inside the Athlete Experience: Why Gretchen Snowden and Morgan Manthey Love NCR Volleyball Camps
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
When young athletes head off to a volleyball camp, they usually expect rigorous drills, intense scrimmages, and long days on the court. But for returning athletes Gretchen Snowden and Morgan Manthey, the North Country Region (NCR) Volleyball camp delivered an experience that went far beyond basic repetitions.
From refining hyper-specific technical skills to studying the game in a classroom setting, NCR provides a holistic development environment. Most importantly, it builds a lasting community.
For parents and players curious about what happens on the court during an NCR event, Gretchen and Morgan’s firsthand testimonial offers a perfect look into the athlete experience.
Mastering the Game: Positional Work and Technical Skills
One of the standout features of NCR camps is the focused, high-level instruction tailored to specific roles on the court. Instead of just running generic team drills, athletes get to dive deep into the mechanics of their exact positions.
"My favorite [moment] is probably positional work when I got to play with all my favorite liberos," they shared.
This specialized focus translates directly into tangible skill development. Rather than just playing the game, athletes are taught how to play volleyball smarter. The duo highlighted a specific technique they picked up regarding platform positioning: "One new skill I learned is with your platform positioning, you should break away instead of breaking your wrist."
This granular level of detail is a direct result of the camp's coaching staff, whom the girls describe as "the best people I've ever met." By learning from dedicated positional coaches and camp leaders like Pedro, players gain new perspectives that elevate their in-game performance.
Surviving the Grind: Court Time, Recovery, and the Classroom
If you are heading to an NCR camp for the first time, you need to come prepared for a rigorous, immersive experience. Gretchen and Morgan emphasize that athletes should expect to play a lot of volleyball — and that means taking physical recovery seriously.
"Keep your body healthy throughout when you're off, and massage your body with a massage gun," they advise.
But NCR camps aren't just about physical exertion; they are about mental conditioning as well. Unique to high-level developmental camps, NCR incorporates dedicated classroom sessions to help athletes understand the strategic elements of the sport.
"I would tell them to take notes in the classrooms because they're actually very useful," the athletes recommend to newcomers. "Pay attention to them because they're really good."
More Than Teammates: Building a National Volleyball Network
While the volleyball is elite, the connections made off the court are what keep players coming back year after year. The camp acts as a networking hub for passionate players from across the region.
For Gretchen and Morgan, the camp was a reunion. Having played an NCR camp together two years prior, the event allowed them to reconnect while also expanding their circle.
"Definitely meeting all these new friends," they noted as a highlight. "I got to meet so many new people, and I'm gonna get to see them around all the time at all our tournaments, especially at Nationals."
The Verdict: Coming Back "A Million Times"
When asked if they would return to another NCR Volleyball camp, the answer was an overwhelming yes. The combination of expert coaching, challenging volleyball, and a welcoming community creates an unforgettable environment.
"We would love to come back because we met so many new people. The coaches are amazing. The volleyball is great, and everything about it was super fun, so I would come back in a heartbeat," they said. "Yes, I would come back a million times. It gives you a good perspective."
Frequently Asked Questions
What should athletes expect at an NCR Volleyball camp?
Athletes should expect a highly active and immersive environment. Participants will play a massive volume of volleyball, requiring good physical conditioning and recovery habits (like using massage guns). They should also expect a blend of physical drills and mental training.
Do NCR camps offer classroom learning?
Yes. In addition to on-court positional training and scrimmages, NCR Volleyball camps feature classroom sessions. Athletes are highly encouraged to bring a notebook and take notes, as the strategic and mental lessons taught in these sessions are highly useful for real-game scenarios.
What is the coaching style like at NCR events?
The coaching staff at NCR events features dedicated positional coaches who focus on granular, technical skills — such as proper platform positioning for liberos. Athletes frequently praise the coaches for their deep knowledge, different perspectives, and engaging, supportive personalities.
