Be prepared to see local student-athletes wearing masks while playing indoor sports during the early portion of the fall high school season.
The MIAA sent out a statement confirming Thursday that all athletes and coaches who compete indoors will be required to wear masks. Masks will remain optional for athletes and coaches in outdoor sports.
The announcement comes on the heels of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and Commissioner of Educations ruling Wednesday that masks will be required in public school for everyone ages five and above. The ruling is in effect until at least Oct. 1.
“These are minimum required safety standards that are consistent with the practice of indoor and outdoor recess and indoor and outdoor physical education classes during the school day,” the MIAA’s statement read.
The only local high school sport contested indoors during the fall season is girls volleyball. For Frontier girls volleyball coach Sean MacDonald and the defending 2019 state champion Redhawks, it’s a decision far out of the program’s control. MacDonald said they’ll adapt to the rules set for them.
“Not to sound too much like Bill Belichick but we can only control so many things and this isn’t one of them,” MacDonald said. “I expected it with the way the [COVID-19] numbers were going. It would obviously be nicer to play without [masks] but we’re obviously going to follow the rules. It’s the same for everybody.”
During the MIAA’s “Fall II” season, which ran this past March and April, volleyball players were required to wear masks during practices and matches. Players said having to wear them this time around likely won’t be as difficult as they’ve already made those adjustments in the past.
“We’re pretty used to it by now,” Frontier senior Tia Gottschalk said. “A lot of the girls are OK with it. We just take more breaks, drink more water and it really doesn’t make anything less of practice.”
One difference between the Fall II season and this impending fall campaign is the weather, especially during the preseason portion of the slate. Hot and humid conditions Thursday made mask-wearing a bit more uncomfortable, though Redhawk seniors Elise Friedrichs and Lilah Evans said it’s worthwhile with player safety at the forefront.
“It’s what we did last season so for a lot of us, it’s normal,” Friedrichs said. “The heat has just made everything so much worse. This isn’t the heat we had in the spring. I think it’s the safest choice. We’re going to different schools [to play matches] and we don’t know how safe they are. I think it’s the right choice even though [masks] are difficult, they do get sweaty and we do miss the facial expression on the court.”
“I know it’s the smart thing to do but it’s definitely not easy,” Evans added. “We’re getting used to it. I’m sure it’ll improve our game when we’re able to take them off because it’s one less thing to worry about, but we’re doing OK with it and we’re used to it at this point.”
While the Frontier players say they understand the challenges that come with wearing a mask during competitions, they’re just happy to be back out on the court. After missing last fall’s season due to COVID-19, playing volleyball with teammates and having a full season of action is something to look forward to.
If wearing a mask gives them that ability, Frontier players said they’re more than willing to comply.
“It’s something that disappoints us because it makes it harder to play and breathe,” Jillian Apanell said began, “but if that’s what it takes to let us play this season and play our normal schedule, we’re more than happy to do it.”
“It’s challenging but we just want to play volleyball,” Frontier’s Sydney Scanlon added. “We’ll do whatever to play.”