PHARR — For Clarissa “Francis” Sanchez, some closure may have been realized Friday.
Playing with her PSJA Southwest volleyball teammates during an all-PSJA schools “private” scrimmage, Sanchez dedicated her senior season to her grandfather, who recently died after contracting COVID-19.
“We were really close,” the senior setter said. “This season is for him.”
PSJA High, Memorial, North and Southwest all competed in a season kickoff round-robin event that didn’t keep track of scoring, but was meant to help bring coaches, players and officials up to speed after an extended period away from the court due to the coronavirus pandemic that has overcome the Valley, the nation and the world.
A little more than 30 minutes before warmups, it was clear that the 2020 Rio Grande Valley volleyball season will carry a unique set of sights and sounds. Chairs were set at a distanced and occupied by players wearing masks and talking very little, most peering into their phones. It looked more like preparation for an ACT or SAT rather than for a high school volleyball match. The stands were bare and everything seemed new.
Many teams across the Rio Grande Valley began practicing Monday or Tuesday; some worked out via video conference calls during the weeks prior to be prepared as much as possible for the “real” practices to begin. For some, returning to practice was a bit nerve-wracking,
“It was kind of scary for me at first, coming back,” PSJA High’s Murielle Murillo said. “I didn’t know how it was going to work. Coach, though, made it clear and easy for us to understand and help make us comfortable.”
While girls from all four teams wore masks throughout the entire round-robin timed matchups, both on and off the court, veteran referee Miriam Sanchez said it was up to their discretion whether to wear them while on the court.
“They will need to walk onto the court for the beginning or when their substituting with them on, but after that it’s up to them. Some girls are wearing gaiters on the court because it can get a little uncomfortable and tough wearing them while playing,” said Sanchez, who has 25 years of refereeing experience. “The biggest difference, however, will be at the beginning end of the games. There will be no switching sides in between games and no handshakes before or after.”
As warmups began, the non-stop chatter and cheers that normally accompany a great hit or a nice dig from teammates were absent. Then, PSJA High head coach Caroline Cuellar provided a rallying call. “Come on girls, let’s go.” That’s all it took and the first steps toward truly returning began.
“These girls have been texting me since June wanting to come back. Their parents were saying, ‘If you start tomorrow, we’ll be there,’” Cuellar said. “I told the girls that this is a time to be selfless and think of your teammates and others and what you can cause if you’re not responsible.
“We have so many rules and now with COVID there’s so much more, but it’s there for a reason. It’s there to keep us safe. We’ve been following all the protocols, no girls are complaining and they all want to play.”
Not only were masks one sign of the adjusted normal, but sanitizer was used regularly and often — during substitutions, timeouts and even in between serves. The habitual, quick mini-team celebration that occurrs in between points had some awkward moments at first, but teams quickly adjusted and found other ways to celebrate a job well done.
“We can’t really talk face to face and it’s hard but we still come together as one team,” said the Javelinas’ Sanchez. “We’re all trying to get through this together. We appreciate being all together and working with and for one another. We still have a close bond and we all work at bringing each other up. This is a group of dedicated and talented girls who give up everything in practice every day.
“That’s what I love about this team and being able to play with them again.”
While most Valley teams begin their regular season schedule this week, Hidalgo and Grulla played their season opener Saturday in Hidalgo. Hidalgo defeated Grulla 3-1 after falling in the first set. The home Pirates opted not to wear their masks while on the playing court, while Grulla chose to wear theirs. All players on the sidelines must wear masks.
“We were a little rusty since we hadn’t scrimmaged or played since last year,” Hidalgo head coach Kaydee Benavidez said. “It was awesome to see the girls back in action.”