SMIC Volleyball vs. COVID 19

If you’ve ever walked past the middle-high school gym after school, then you’ve probably seen the JV and varsity boys’ and girls’ teams training or scrimmaging. 

What makes this season different then our others? The current global pandemic known as COVID-19 has caused school sports, more specifically for this article, volleyball, to be limited to the bare minimum. Unless CISSA decides to change its regulations mid-season, SMIC’s team won’t be able to compete with any outside schools for the entire season. How are the competitions going to happen you may ask? 

Well, after going around and interviewing some coaches, our internal competitions will take place on some of the Friday’s and will hopefully be as similar as those of before COVID-19. These internal competitions will help assist all players this season experience game play and increase their skills to the next level.     

Coach Kate says that our boys’ and girls’ teams and D1/D2 teams will be mixed up in different ways to provide different levels of competition.

All players are recommended by coaches to work harder on their stamina and improve skills. It is also suggested for players to play any kind of sport they are interested in as much as possible so this can help with their athletic ability. If a player is able to stay after school or has time during recess, playing volleyball at the school court with other students can also enhance their skills. 

Lastly, the coaches were asked if they had any motivation for the players this year. The most evident motivation said by coaches was to make the most of the season and that no pain meant no gain. This season is longer than in previous years, so the goal is to take full advantage of the extra time for more practice and play! In addition, coach Kate has decided to make this season special for the seniors on the team since they’ve had to make sacrifices during these unprecedented times! 

Every players’ goals right now are to not only put in full effort, time, and focus into our practice and games, but to also most importantly have fun! Cooperating with teammates and cheering each other on is just as important and hopefully, this season will be just as great as previous years and many memories are made! Good luck to all players on the JV and varsity teams with wishes for a fulfilling season!

Featured Image High School Varsity Volleyball Team Practicing Setting, Bumping, and Spiking in groups Courtesy of Arianna Steinau

by: Arianna Steinau