SUNDAY SPORTS BRUNCH Memphis Metro volleyball goes to virtual training
For one 14-and-under Memphis Metro volleyball club squad, a trip to St. Louis was just about a done deal.
The girls, coached by Teresa Thomas, were headed there to compete in a mid-march USA Volleyball qualifier.
“Their bags were already packed,” she said. “We were going to leave when school let out.”
The cancellation culprit was the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That was pretty heartbreaking for the girls,” said Thomas. “We also missed the Delta Region Championship (in Hot Springs).”
For other ages, prime destinations such as Chicago and Indianapolis were also scratched. And corresponding developments could have stopped all 400plus young athletes in the organization right in their tracks. Club officials, though, ramped up their volleyball activities through Zoom. So, instead of things being done at the six-court facility in Bartlett, they were now taking place from home.
“It’s definitely been a challenge because we’ve had to transition to virtual practices, where we do a lot more ball control and ball work, instead of regular drills that we would do as a team,” said Layla Truitt, a rising junior at Hutchison. “We’ve also been doing a lot of conditioning, so that if the opportunity presents itself and we get to go to nationals, we’re in tip-top shape.”
Latoya Hamilton coaches the 16 Elite Black team that includes Truitt and rising Collierville junior Rachel Mccollum. “I feel like I’ve learned a lot more about my girls through Zoom than I did at practice,” said Hamilton, “because you get to see them in their home life. The betterment of the girls — for them to learn teamwork, dedication, determination and overcoming obstacles — getting to see those things manifest themselves is the best part.”
In her eighth year with Memphis Metro, Mccollum has expanded her love of the game with the addition of a backyard net. After two more seasons of high school ball, she’s hopeful for ample time at the net at the college level. The return of road trips to tournaments in the Midwest will be beneficial.
“I think that really helps with what kind of environment I want to be in,” Mccollum said. “I’ll maybe tour a couple of campuses while I’m up there — just to know the area better.”
Truitt is also extremely eager to return the tournament scene, once it is deemed safe to do so.
“The one thing that I truly miss is the adrenaline rush of being on the court with my team,” she said. “When we’re playing and we’re in the middle of a volley, I can’t experience that through my phone screen. I genuinely miss being on the court with my friends.”
Said Memphis Metro president Jitka Okolicany: “Sometimes, when life throws us a curve, only then we realize the true strength and passion inside each of us. I have been reminded every day how lucky I am to be working with such great group of coaches, players and parents. Since March 12, our players and coaches did not miss a beat. They have been working hard, collectively encouraging each other to keep going.”
In a perfect world, teams would be preparing to go to New Orleans for AAU Super Regionals. Next month, AAU Nationals were scheduled to take place in Orlando.
“AAU has put out some guidelines about what they feel like would be safe,” Thomas said. “Obviously, we want to make sure the safety of our girls is at the forefront. We don’t want to go to Orlando
and bring whatever issues they’re having back to Memphis.”
Added Memphis Metro marketing director Katie Hill: “To see the commitment from our players and see them adjust and take advantage of the opportunities we provided for them has been amazing. It’s been exciting to watch players grow in their skills and tune into their skills in a way they never have before. I hope that players have found new strength in themselves and their abilities to adjust to change, and I hope they remember that no matter what, anything is possible.”
Springtime aces
The Commercial Appeal’s Sports section “Scoreboard” is currently on hiatus. It’s where local area golf courses send holes-in-one, so here’s a list of aces submitted since the beginning of April:
❚ Rick Grant aced the 127-yard No. 13 using a 7-iron at Ridgeway Country Club.
❚ Luke Argo aced the 133-yard No. 9 using an 8-iron at Timber Truss.
❚ Tori Kelso aced the 60-yard No. 9 (Champions) using a low wedge at Memphis National.
❚ David Thomas aced the 250-yard No. 12 using a driver at Forest Hill.
❚ Hope Mcintyre aced the 117-yard No. 17 using a 5-hybrid at Forest Hill.
❚ Brian Holt aced the 124-yard No. 5 using an 8-iron at Meadowbrook Country Club.
❚ Willard Freeze aced the 146-yard No. 5 using a 9-iron at TPC Southwind.
❚ David Bourland aced the 166-yard No. 7 using a 6-iron at Memphis Country Club.
Sunday Sports Brunch is a weekly look at movers, shakers and newsmakers on the Memphis sports scene, from youth level to the pros. If you have an item of interest, please contact Chris Van Tuyl at christopher.vantuyl@commercialappeal.com