T-burg volleyball reacts to high-risk designation

Recently, New York state released guidelines regarding interscholastic athletic competition. In those guidelines, the only fall sports given “high-risk” designation were football and volleyball. As a result, teams in those two sports may only hold practices and cannot compete in games until further notice.

That was not the news Trumansburg volleyball head coach Angela McLennan wanted to hear heading into the school year. Her team was the IAC runner-up last year after winning the IAC Championship the previous two seasons. She described her reaction when she first heard the news.

“I was quite confused, actually,” McLennan said. “I wasn’t really sure why they were classifying volleyball as a high-risk sport in relation to the other fall sports. I feel like soccer has a lot more physical contact than volleyball does. But in volleyball, you’re all touching the same ball so I understand where they’re coming from, but it just doesn’t seem like it’s as risky as some of the other sports.”

She has yet to receive an official explanation, only that the decision was made by the New York State Department Health and the New York State Public High School Athletics Association (NYSPHSAA) cannot overrule it.

A positive aspect of this is that she’ll get to see her team again. Outside of a group chat, McLennan was not permitted to meet her players in person per state guidelines. The responsibility of preparing for a season that might not happen is on the players.

“I have just sent it in our group chat just saying, ‘Make sure you’re ready to go,’” McLennan said. “I’m sure they’re getting into the weight room or running and getting in shape so we don’t have to spend a lot of time doing that. We can work more on skill work instead.”

There will be a lot of adapting this season by McLennan, who won’t be able to have the preseason double practices she’s used to. However, that could be beneficial down the road.

“This group of girls, I know that we can really focus on skill work and that extra time of practice,” McLennan said. “Normally in the season, the first week is double and we’re spending two hours conditioning and then two hours on skill. And then by the time the second week rolls around, we’re usually having a scrimmage on the Wednesday. We’re eight days in and we’re scrimmaging. It always seems a little rushed. I think giving us this extra time might help, definitely with our skill work.”

Another challenge this season will bring is motivation. With no games and so much uncertainty, the athletes won’t have competition to look forward to. McLennan addressed how she’ll handle that.

“We’re just going to keep looking to the future and saying we need to be ready whenever we get the green light,” McLennan said. “No, I don’t want them to become complacent whatsoever. I think we approach it just like any other season. We need to be ready for the first game, whether it’s in 10 days, eight days or three weeks. I think that’s going to be the same approach.”

While we don’t know when that first game is going to be, the first practice will take place on Sept. 21. McLennan and her players are greatly anticipating that date.

“It’s going to be amazing,” McLennan said. “They have been itching to play sports since March. Most of the girls all do spring sports and with that season getting canceled, they’re itching to get on the court and play. I know many of them haven’t seen each other in a very long time. So, that too will be exciting for them. It’ll be really positive, and I think it’s going to have a lot of energy. I’m excited for it.”

One of the clear impacts of the COVID cancellations has been the development of these high school athletes. For some of Trumansburg’s six seniors (Savannah Walden, Leah Powell, Morgan Weatherby, Vittoria Georgiadis, Kate Gardner and Megan Cook), this year will be crucial for their opportunities to play at a higher level.

“It’s really important because maybe three, I know one, was really looking to go on and play next year,” McLennan said. “Losing out on that season won’t be helpful for these seniors that are looking to continue on past high school. But also, losing their spring season and then going into this season, they’re really excited because it’s their senior year; they really want everything to happen. I’m going to do everything I can to make it a positive experience.”

With no games on the schedule quite yet, McLennan has a positive outlook regarding whether or not those seniors will get to have that final year together.

“I’m hopeful,” McLennan said. “I’m very hopeful. I think that if everything goes well with the other sports when they’re allowed to start playing and if there’s no outbreak that volleyball and football will get the green light. I’m hopeful that the students in the area take it that seriously and go to all the protective measures to make sure that they’re not passing anything to anybody else.”

For now, practices will have to suffice. Hopefully, we’ll be able to see both football and volleyball players competing in meaningful games this academic year.