From outdoor courts to COVID Zone, Amherst Regional adapts to volleyball changes – GazetteNET

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced Amherst Regional High School to close off access to its facilities, it put the Hurricanes girls volleyball season in doubt. Luckily, an anonymous donor gave the school two outdoor volleyball nets.

They clinched the deal for us because without that, we probably couldnt have had any volleyball at all, said longtime coach Kacey Schmitt.

The move to an outdoor court is one of the biggest changes this season for Amherst, which opens its abbreviated season indoors at Holyoke on Monday.

While moving the court outside gives senior captains Amelia Beigel, Skye Nolan and Hailey Zabko an opportunity to play, the move presents new challenges.

One of these challenges is sunlight. Lighting is not a huge factor on indoor courts, but it has proven to be an issue outdoors. The sunlight impacts one side of the court more than the other, creating a disadvantage. While players normally switch sides in between sets, that is not allowed this year. Players have been bringing sunglasses to practice to minimize the suns effect, but the challenge is still significant.

If youre receiving a serve or a hit, the sun will blind you, Zabko said. The ball will go through a blind spot and you wont be able to see anything.

Added Nolan, With the wind and having to adjust to the sunlight, its way different than indoors.

Another challenge is adjusting to the court itself. The court was placed on what is normally Amhersts lacrosse field. Its grass surface is very uneven in comparison to the indoor courts.

The grass has divots in it, Beigel said. Were slipping and sliding all over the place because you cant really wear cleats in volleyball because youre moving so quickly.

In response to these issues, the team voted to play only one home game during the season. As of now, that game is scheduled to be played against Westfield on Oct. 19. Westfield got to see an outdoor court when it played on one during the summer league this year.

The other nine games will be played on the road on indoor courts. While playing outdoors will have a minimized impact during their indoor games, it may have a huge effect on the teams ability to practice.

If it rains heavily one day, the courts could be soaking wet for up to three days, said Beigel. Then, we might just have to do nothing.

We cant play on mud, added Zabko.

Playing on an outdoor court is not the only modification to the game this year. The rules of volleyball have been changed to allow for a COVID Zone.

The COVID Zone is an area marked off by tape 3 feet away from the net on both sides of the court. When within this 3-foot area, teams are not permitted to hit the ball to the other side of the net. If this occurs, the rally is blown dead by the officials and a point is awarded to the other team. Players are permitted to cover and block within this area. While the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) discussed putting a plastic shield over the net to protect the players, the idea of the COVID Zone prevailed.

The zone changes the game for front row players.

Any time there is a tight ball, most of the time people will go up for a joust. (When both teams try to make a play on the ball at the net). Someone might hit it and the other person might try to tip it over. (Now,) thats illegal, Beigel said. If a ball passed you tight or if a set is too tight, it could ruin a rally altogether.

Added Schmitt, Were trying to learn how to punch it over or bump it over. They almost have to relearn how they usually have learned to play those tight-to-the-net balls.

Other restrictions are common procedure in dealing with the COVID pandemic. Players and coaches are required to wear masks at all times. They also have to social distance at least 6 feet whenever possible. With handshakes prohibited, referees will signal both teams to give each other a wave in sportsmanship before and after each match.

The restrictions may seem daunting, but Amherst has been up to the task.

I feel comfortable with the fact that they are buying into the safety protocol, Schmitt said. Theres been no complaining, no arguing. Everyone has accepted the protocols and are just happy to be out there.

Although this season will be like no other, Amherst is ready to move forward as a team.

No matter what obstacles COVID throws at us, I feel like everything will be fine because well all be together and making the most of it, Zabko said.

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From outdoor courts to COVID Zone, Amherst Regional adapts to volleyball changes - GazetteNET