By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
LYFORD — Volleyball coaches in the East Valley have been scrambling to create plans for district seasons since the University Interscholastic League made, and didn’t make, changes to the 2020 calendar.
Programs at the 5A and 6A levels had their seasons pushed back more than one month, but the seasons for sub-5A schools are still scheduled to open Aug. 3, which creates problems for East Valley coaches.
Teams in Classes 1A through 4A will miss at least one month of the season due to county orders keeping schools closed and sports on hold. La Feria elected to have the first three weeks of school online, meaning the Lionettes won’t start practices until Sept. 14 — two weeks after 4A programs across the state have the green light to play games.
“I wasn’t happy with (the UIL decision). I really would’ve rather we all start later,” La Feria coach Rebea Fraga said. “The (32-4A) coaches, we’ve already met via Zoom and we have a messaging group. We have schools in four different counties, so we all have different start dates. We’re just hoping to be able to salvage some part of the season for the kids’ sake.”
The latest start date for a 32-4A team is Sept. 28. The district certification deadline is Oct. 27, leaving 32-4A with a short time frame to have a district season and putting regular season contests in jeopardy.
“We discussed our options, maybe going only one round (of district). We tentatively figured out a way we would start the last week in September, when Hidalgo and Starr can start, give them a few days and then we’d start (district matches) that Saturday,” Fraga said. “There’s a possibility that I could maybe pick up non-district matches, but I don’t know. I’m just hoping to have district, and if something else is available, great.”
Lyford coach Amy Cantu said a lot of things are still up in the air regarding the Lady Bulldogs’ season. Their first game is set for Oct. 5, but the 31-3A schedule isn’t set in stone, nor is the day Lyford will start practicing.
The COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty regarding the upcoming season have created new obstacles for Cantu as she takes over the Lyford program. This might not be an ideal inaugural season, but Cantu is looking forward to facing the challenges with a modified approach to coaching.
“We’re not going to have that connection right off the bat. It’s going to feel brand new to them again, I’m going to be a new person and coach, and it’s going to be hard to build the program with them because of all this,” Cantu said. “But I hope to overcome that as quick as we can and move forward. I’m just trying to keep a positive outlook for them and worry about everything else as it comes. I’ll be appreciative if we can have any season, because I know it means a lot to the girls.”
Brownsville Jubilee coach Rebekah Perez said “it was a punch in the gut” that the UIL didn’t delay seasons for all teams. She said coaches and athletic directors in 32-3A are working to solidify the district schedule, and once that’s set she’ll start focusing on regular season matches.
Perez said it won’t be easy to navigate this season, but she knows her veteran squad will be ready to go full-speed whenever they start practicing, hoping for another long playoff run.
“I’m lucky I have a group of girls who are the hardest working kids I’ve ever seen. I know they’re getting their reps, and I have kids that are working to keep up their stamina and endurance and all that,” Perez said. “They’re going to feel the sense of urgency, because it’s a team of seniors and they’re itching to get back. They’re going to make the time in the gym worthwhile considering they’ll lose a whole month off of their senior season.”
Brownsville Rivera coach Elizabeth Avelar-Guerra was happy to see the adjusted calendar for 5A and 6A programs, but the UIL decision to cut tournaments is something she feels will have a negative impact on the season.
“That’s going to be hard, because I don’t think the kids are going to be at the level they need (to be) when we start district. Getting them in shape and jelling together and becoming a team, that’s what tournaments are for,” Avelar-Guerra said.
The UIL is allowing teams to play up to three matches per week for the first two weeks of the season, but Avelar-Guerra isn’t planning on loading up her schedule too much. She wants to focus on maximizing practice time in preparation for the district season.
Rivera will face two new 32-6A opponents in Donna North and Weslaco High. Though those Hidalgo County schools will return later, the district is planning to play a full two-round district slate with games all the way to the district certification deadline.
Even though volleyball will look very different this year and things are ever-changing, Avelar-Guerra is hoping the season can go on safely.
“Everyone’s just doing the best they can. It’s hard because in one way you don’t want to get out there too soon because it’s scary … but the kids, the seniors, want to go out and play,” Avelar-Guerra said. “If everybody was careful and would follow the rules, it would be so much easier. But hopefully we’re able to have games, and I pray to God that there’s no problems from that.”