The varsity volleyball team was looking forward to the season opener on Dec. 28, but, sadly, the season has been pushed back due to the recent spike in COVID-19 case numbers.

Head coach Michael Boehle discussed how the season was pushed back along with the fact that all in-person practices have been cancelled.

Boehle stated, “Unfortunately our season is in limbo and has been pushed back until late January. Currently, the volleyball team is not allowed to train at all.”

This adjustment of the schedule is very hard for the varsity volleyball team because they were not able to play last season either. Junior outside hitter Dillon Klein and senior libero Declan Mitsui shared with The Loyalist some of the preparations for the unexpected season opener and the excitement over returning to play.

  Klein discussed the varsity team’s inability to practice together, but they have participated in weightlifting and team exercises, allowing for bonding and growing as a group.

He said, “We haven’t even been practicing yet. We have done weightlifting and a couple conditioning things on the track…. We have had a bunch of team bonding activities which are pretty fun.”

The volleyball team was incorporating the necessary COVID-19 protocols that are required by the state when they were able to gather.

Klein added, “We all wear masks, take our temperatures, workout and then go home.”

The players are excited to start playing whenever LA County allows sports teams to start playing games and participating in team practices again.

Mitsui talked about how exciting this season will be because they missed last season due to COVID-19 as well.

Mitsui said, “[The season opener] will be the most anticipated match for this team. If it happens, it will be the best thing to happen in a while.”

The players on varsity are still preparing for the season on their own despite the fact that they are not practicing as a team.

Mistui stated, “I have been doing workouts at home to get prepared for the difficult season.”

Furthermore, Klein said, “I have been playing beach [volleyball], weightlifting and playing for my club team.”

Even though they haven’t done much together as a team, the varsity volleyball team will be ready for the even more difficult season opener this year. 

Klein said, “We will be running on less preparation, and the competition is going to be good. Mira Costa and Newport Harbor both have good teams.”