LMYA youngsters before a Saturday volleyball match. Photo Eric Standring

Lafayette-Moraga Youth Association (LMYA) volleyball starts its fifth season with Evaluation Day January 31st. This year the season is nine weeks. It includes a number of perks to capture the excitement of kids and parents alike: a volleyball picnic, free practice ball for kids, free club-quality game balls for coaches, clinics, and high school players to help parents design and run practice.

The league is open to boys (two per team) and girls (up to ten per team) in three age groups: fifth graders (playing at JM middle school), sixth and seventh-eighth grades (playing at Stanley). For the pleasure of our youngest age division, we play matches with a special ball called a 'volley light.' In addition, we use special rules that help these players get their serve in.

At the end of the season there is an award ceremony. We give out beach-volleyball t-shirts for teams making it through playoffs to the finals of Gold, Silver, or Bronze. Everyone plays equally and we normally award nearly 100 t-shirts. LMYA volleyball is $185 for March to June. Registration is on-going. For more information and registration go to www.lmyasports.com.