Call it a volunteer volley.

Nancy Boyda, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House district that includes west Lawrence, is inviting high school and college students to volunteer in her campaign and questioned why the incumbent, Republican Jim Ryun, extended a volunteer invitation only to young Republicans.

“In my campaign, we don’t exclude people because of their political party affiliation,” Boyda said. “We are all working together, Democrats and Republicans, to spread our vision of restoring a moderate, common-sense voice to Washington.”

Last week, Ryun’s campaign issued a news release announcing the “Run with Ryun Student Ambassadors Program.”

The program was designed “to help Republican high school and college students learn more about a political campaign while contributing to Congressman Jim Ryun’s bid to win a fifth term to the United States House of Representatives,” the release said.

Ryun’s campaign manager, Eric Haar, stated: “This is a unique opportunity for conservative students to get real-world political experience while assisting a proven Kansas leader.”

But Boyda said she was willing to work with students from all political parties.

On Tuesday, Haar said he “should have been more clear in the press release.” He said Ryun wouldn’t exclude volunteers on the basis of their political party affiliation.