CARTERVILLE — It’s been a summer of learning for new Johnston City head volleyball coach Ashley Smiley.

Smiley knows volleyball. She grew up around the game and played for her mom Schelly, who also served as the Lady Indians’ head coach, but it’s different now.

Smiley got a firsthand look at her squad the past few weeks as the Lady Indians joined several area teams at the John A. Logan high school summer league. Teams from the Black Diamond, River to River, South 7, South Egyptian and Cahokia Conferences battled the first three Wednesdays in July. Those teams included Murphysboro, West Frankfort, Pinckneyville, Carbondale, Carterville, Herrin, Cobden, Chester, and Johnston City.

Coaches say the experience of playing in the league should help when the season starts next month. The Logan league marked the end of the summer activities for some teams, while others will be wrapping up over the next week and a half.

The first week of August will be an IHSA mandated dead week meaning no team activities. Practices will start August 8th with the first matches set the week of the 22nd.