The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
The new normal
Volleyball is back with full schedules, but masks remain
The celebration was loud and boisterous for Trumbull.
In what seems like a lifetime ago but in reality was just two years, the Eagles won their first state championship when they beat Westhill in the Class LL final, which was also the last match of the CIAC’s 2019 season.
What followed a year later for Connecticut’s teams was a far different scene: Abbreviated schedules, limited travel and opponents, no state tournaments, and, most visibly, masks worn by players and coaches in order to help mitigate the spread of
COVID-19.
Full schedules and state tournaments have returned for 2021, but the masks remain.
For many players, the feeling is the same as last fall — masks are not ideal, but if it means a chance to play a full season with state playoffs, it’s well worth the sacrifice.
“I’m so excited to have a full season again,” Trumbull junior captain Maggie Carley said. “The last time we were able to have a full tournament, we won a state championship, so I’m pumped to be able to have that chance again.”
“Playing with masks last year was definitely an adjustment, but since it meant we got to compete, I can speak for my entire team when I say we were all extremely grateful,” Darien tri-captain Jillian Roche said. “It didn’t come as a big shock when we were told we have to wear masks this year, so it’s safe to say we’ve gotten used to them.”
The general consensus is that preseason adjustments with masks were easier this season, simply because the players have experience wearing them in competition. Last year during the preseason, teams devoted time to getting used to that new factor.
“The masks last year were completely new and more of a problem when playing in them,” Newtown captain Chloe O’Connell said. “We’re now used to how the game works with masks and honestly, it would feel weird without them, although a perfect season wouldn’t include wearing masks.”
“After having last season with the masks, the adjustment does feel a little easier,” Darien senior tri-captain Julianna Han said. “Our team has been cooperating well with the mandate and following our safety protocols. Being able to play a full schedule and tournaments this year is beyond exciting.”
During the spring, with vaccines available, it seemed that high school sports were trending towards something closer to normalcy. With the threat of the Delta variant, however, the CIAC left its mask requirement for indoor sports in place.
“I honestly thought we would have been past wearing masks for this year’s volleyball season,” Avon coach Curt Burns said. “Many of my players played summer league volleyball matches without masks and weren’t required to wear them.”
As for his players, Burns said they don’t complain “but I’m sure they would prefer not to have to wear one.”
“The players are used to (wearing masks) after having played in them last year and having to be in them in school,” Cheshire coach Sue Bavone said.
Bavone pointed out that masks do impact the action on the court.
“It is very difficult for
the players to hear each other on the court, and to hear coaches on the sideline,” she said. “For a game that requires so much communication, the masks do impact that aspect of play.”
“It definitely takes some court visibility away,” Trumbull senior tri-captain Jamie Willix said. “But I think the positive outlook on it is that it pushes every player to adjust and work just a little harder than before.”
While masks remain, spectators are, for the most part, back. Many schools have no limits on spectators and others are allowing two fans per athlete on both teams.
“The season is obviously starting better than last year,” Amity coach Seth Davis said. “It’s nice to have fans in the stands.”
Davis said that his players have adjusted nicely to wearing masks in matches again, and it’s having less of an impact this season.
“Though it’s not an ideal situation, it is what it is,” Davis said. “Volleyball has gotten as close to normal as I think we can get during this pandemic. It’s exciting to be able to play a
full schedule and have end-of-year tournaments. It gives the girls the full experience that they didn’t have last year.”
That full experience also includes the return of non-conference matches and full league play. Last season, teams were limited to regional “pods” and focused on just a few opponents.
For Trumbull and fellow 2019 state champs Avon (Class L), Seymour (Class M) and Lyman Memorial (Class S), there will finally be an opportunity to defend their crowns.
“I am so unbelievably excited,” Trumbull senior tri-captain Jamie McPartland said. “Last year we were just grateful to be able to have a season, but this year is so exciting to see it will be almost past to normal. It was fun being able to play last year, even if it was the same three teams, however this year, we are definitely playing for hopefully another state title.”