Latesha,

Going to camp is a good idea. Your skill set will be of most important in helping make a team, along with a positive attitude and good work ethic. Here are the skills you should most focus on:

Underhand passing
Overhand passing (setting)
Serving (overhand if possible)

No matter what position you play, the skills above are essential to the game and there will always be somewhere for an athlete who can do them well to play. These are the things you want to really work on at camp, maybe before if you have time. Use the skill and drill section on weplay to help.

Secondary Skill Set
Hitting (spiking)
Blocking
Transitioning (moving from defense to offense and back)
Digging

These skills are also essential to the game, however, I would focus on the primary ones listed first as a beginner.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Latesha,

Kirk gives you some good advice on where to focus your skill improvements. And camp is a good idea. A month long camp will probably cover all of the skills he mentioned. It sounds like your team is competitive, meaning you have to earn your spot on the team. If so you need to show more than just skills. At the 8th grade level players are still learning and showing skill potential with the right attitude could be more beneficial than showing good skills. So even if you think your skills aren't good enough work on being a good coachable player.

Show up early, listen and do as you are told, be happy to shag balls, run to every drill, to shag balls, to line up, to coach when he calls. Be enthusiastic! Ask questions on what coach instructs to understand better, but never question the coaches decisions or coaching techniques. And never ever stand still on the court. One of the biggest issues at your level is a player standing still and watching the ball hit the floor. Make sure you are always covering your position. Be at the net when you're supposed to, drop back when you're supposed to, cover the player handling the ball, learn when you're supposed to do these things and do them.

Hope our tips help you.

Be coachable. If a coach tells you to do something, do it! And hustle. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions. Coaches like that.