Volleyball committee proposes new rules
Mixed-gender teams among discussions
It was another day at the office for the MIAA Volleyball Committee.
The group, headed by Case principal Brian McCann, spent nearly two hours sifting through 45 various rules proposals for 2021-2023.
One of the more interesting proposals acted upon was one put forth by Jacqui Niosi, who coaches both boys and girls volleyball at Quincy High. The measure, which passed by a 7-5 margin, would add a sub-section to MIAA Rule 43.2, which stated that if a school offers a single team in a particular sport, it may not restrict eligibility based on gender unless such a restriction
is necessary to ensure that the school’s gendered designation of athletic opportunities complies with Title IX (either by demonstrating proportionality or the absence of unmet interest among members of the underrepresented gender).
Niosi’s proposal would call for schools to demonstrate in writing to the MIAA Volleyball Committee that it has done its due diligence in (1) attempting to create a team for the underrepre
sented team allowing them to fully compete on the net height that the underrepresented student-athlete qualifies for per the NFHS regulations, (2) attempting to create a co-op team with a neighboring school or schools before allowing the underrepresented student-athlete to try out for the team designated for the other net height, (3) attempting to find a neighboring team that plays on the net height that the
underrepresented studentathlete qualifies for that would be able to accommodate the underrepresented player.
Niosi also co-sponsored a rule change with MIAA state volleyball rules interpreter Carole Burke regarding boys playing volleyball. They were successful in getting the committee to replace some of the verbiage of Rule 83.5.
The proposal addresses mixed gender teams and equates restrictions for both genders who do not have the opportunity to play in their traditional season because there is no team offered to them. For instance, if a male studentathlete qualified to play on a 7-foot-4 1/8” net, but does not have access to a team in the fall, he shall not be allowed to block, attack a ball that is completely above the height of the net from anywhere on the court and a jump-server would have to have at least part of one foot must be in contact with the floor upon contact of the serve.
The committee voted 10-2 in favor of a proposal put forth by Saugus girls basketball coach Mark Schruender to reduce the penalty for student/athletes who violate the loyalty to high school team rules. Instead of suspending the student/athlete for 25 percent of the season, his initial proposal calls for a one game/meet/match suspension.