ASC volleyball players begin training camp leading into Aug. 18 scrimmage

Mortensen looking for host families

Roswell, New Mexico native Kimberly Ingram is one of six new freshmen on the ASC volleyball team.

ALAMOSA, Colo.— A group of 10 veterans and six newcomers reported for the start of Adams State College volleyball practices on Wednesday. The team met, had their pictures taken and filled out NCAA paperwork in the morning before holding their first official practice of the fall in the afternoon. The team then concluded the day with a weightlifting session.

Third-year coach Lindy Mortensen said she was impressed by many of her new players, all freshmen, and is looking forward to the rest of the training camp that will lead into a Saturday, Aug. 18 green and white scrimmage, that is free and open to the public. That scrimmage will begin at 6 p.m. in Plachy Hall and will be followed by an ice cream social for all of the team’s host families.

Started in 2005, Mortensen’s host family program has grown into a tradition of the ASC Volleyball squad. Under the program, each player, who may be away from home for the first time in their lives, is matched with an adoptive family.

“The expectations for adoptive families are minimal and that the family is simply intended to be a familiar, friendly and caring face in the community,” Mortensen said. "I've always felt that the communities in the San Luis Valley have been very close and family oriented and this is a great way for our volleyball players to have a tie with one of these families throughout their college years.”

“One of my own children had a host family at another college. As a parent, I felt the program made the transition to college life easier,” she continued.

If interested in signing up for the program, interested host parents should contact Mortensen at 587-7456 or by email at lindy_mortensen@adams.edu.

Mortensen has slated two practices each weekday through Friday, Aug. 17 and is also planning a Saturday (Aug. 11) morning practice before the team will take the rest of the weekend off.

The team will fall into their normal practice routine when classes begin on Aug. 20 leading up to the team’s season opening Best Western Alamosa Inn/Grizzly Inn Volleyball Classic, that the Grizzlies will host beginning on Thursday, Aug. 23.