Italy’s volleyball and football programs thrive during summer training

Image: Junior Gladiator Cody Boyd stretches for an interception during an Oskie drill during 2-a-day workouts.

Junior Gladiator Cody Boyd stretches for an interception during an Oskie drill during 2-a-day workouts. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy freshman Joe Celis simulates intercepting a pass during the Oskie drill.

Italy freshman Joe Celis simulates intercepting a pass during the Oskie drill. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator junior John Byers practices the swim move during defensive line drills.

Gladiator junior John Byers practices the swim move during defensive line drills. (Barry Byers)

Image: With coach Jon Cady simulating the snap, senior Gladiator Kevin Roldan demonstrates the rip technique during a defensive line drill with teammate Darol Mayberry offering resistance.

With coach Jon Cady simulating the snap, senior Gladiator Kevin Roldan demonstrates the rip technique during a defensive line drill with teammate Darol Mayberry offering resistance. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior defensive end Zain Byers will anchor what could be a stubborn, big play defense for Italy as he simulates a lineman’s dream.

Senior defensive end Zain Byers will anchor what could be a stubborn, big play defense for Italy as he simulates a lineman’s dream. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Gladiator back/receiver Shad Newman hauls in a pass and then turns up field.

Senior Gladiator back/receiver Shad Newman hauls in a pass and then turns up field. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior quarterback/cornerback Tyler Anderson is one of several Gladiators that could step in and run the offense.

Senior quarterback/cornerback Tyler Anderson is one of several Gladiators that could step in and run the offense. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator skill back Trevon Robertson hustles thru a cone drill during 2-a-day workouts.

Gladiator skill back Trevon Robertson hustles thru a cone drill during 2-a-day workouts. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy freshman Hunter Ballard flies thru a garbage drill for defensive players.

Italy freshman Hunter Ballard flies thru a garbage drill for defensive players. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator senior Darol Mayberry and his teammates get stretched before starting a 2-a-day workout.

Gladiator senior Darol Mayberry and his teammates get stretched before starting a 2-a-day workout. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy freshman Tristan Cotten clears one final obstacle and then simulates going after an opponent’s ball carrier.

Italy freshman Tristan Cotten clears one final obstacle and then simulates going after an opponent’s ball carrier. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy sophomore Clayton Miller sprints off the line.

Italy sophomore Clayton Miller sprints off the line. (Barry Byers)

Image: “The Unkown Gladiator,” has returned! Gladiator junior Coby Bland will not be unknown much longer!!

“The Unkown Gladiator,” has returned! Gladiator junior Coby Bland will not be unknown much longer!! (Barry Byers)

Image: Junior middle hitter Kortnei Johnson takes flight during a practice session.

Junior middle hitter Kortnei Johnson takes flight during a practice session. (Barry Byers)

Image: Junior hitter Jaclynn Lewis has added an inch or two to her vertical leap.

Junior hitter Jaclynn Lewis has added an inch or two to her vertical leap. (Barry Byers)

Image: Janae Robertson tries to bump over the top of Jozie Perkins, Jaclynn Lewis and Taleyia Wilson.

Janae Robertson tries to bump over the top of Jozie Perkins, Jaclynn Lewis and Taleyia Wilson. (Barry Byers)

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(Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore Halee Turner and senior Paige Westbrook combine for the block attempt, with Bailey Eubank backing them up, as the varsity gets challenged.

Sophomore Halee Turner and senior Paige Westbrook combine for the block attempt, with Bailey Eubank backing them up, as the varsity gets challenged. (Barry Byers)

Image: Junior setter Bailey Eubank sets the ball for the offense as Lillie Perry and Monserrat Figueroa await the result.

Junior setter Bailey Eubank sets the ball for the offense as Lillie Perry and Monserrat Figueroa await the result. (Barry Byers)

Image: Junior hitter Kelsey Nelson lunges in to keep the ball alive on the offense.

Junior hitter Kelsey Nelson lunges in to keep the ball alive on the offense. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Lady Gladiators are doing whatever it takes to be successful.

The Lady Gladiators are doing whatever it takes to be successful. (Barry Byers)

Image: Feeling the burn.

Feeling the burn. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bailey Eubank (jr.), Brook DeBorde (fr.) and Taleyia Wilson (so.) prepare to run stairs inside the double-decked Italy Coliseum.

Bailey Eubank (jr.), Brook DeBorde (fr.) and Taleyia Wilson (so.) prepare to run stairs inside the double-decked Italy Coliseum. (Barry Byers)

Image: No guts no glory! The evidence is clear as Lady Gladiator junior Madison Washington’s face beads up with indications of her sacrifice.

No guts no glory! The evidence is clear as Lady Gladiator junior Madison Washington’s face beads up with indications of her sacrifice. (Barry Byers)

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