Volleyball Teams Adapt to a Locked-Down Season

Girls Volleyball

By JOSH CALUYA

Last March, when NYC public schools closed due to Covid-19, the girls volleyball season had only been in action for ten days, and only one game had been held in the school.

“Everyone was disappointed, including me,” said Mr. Tommy Ma, the girls volleyball coach. “I’ve seen the girls team train hard for the last three years, and I’ve seen much improvement, yet we can’t play due to the lockdown.”

The team still keeps in contact via social media. They have a group chat where they can connect with each other regularly. They are also watching videos of college-level gameplay to learn and mentally prepare themselves in case the PSAL season resumes.

During lockdown, Mr. Ma has been sending his team a workout plan for six days a week that focuses on muscular strength, endurance, and cardio, to keep their health and spirits high.

“For the past six months we have adjusted pretty well and adapted to a new normal,” said Mr. Ma. “We are all offering our support and encouragement during this disastrous year. I am pleased that some of my players have joined a club to still play volleyball and practice.”

Ajlina Cekic and Regina Hoxha, two juniors on the team, have both been practicing at the Brooklyn Elite volleyball club in Greenpoint. The club is open on Mondays and Fridays from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. For now, it is only practice, as no games are being held. There are about 100 people in the club. They play for thirty minutes, then pause, condition for thirty minutes, and then play for a final hour before leaving.

Though Covid has limited Hoxha, she has still found a way to stay passionate about volleyball.

“I was looking forward to the Midwood season this year,” she said. “But I'm still happy I get to play for the club since I can't play on the Midwood team. Something is better than nothing.”

Players in the club have to wear a mask at all times and social distance during water breaks and while conditioning.

“Our season is a little rough right now because the precautions make it difficult to practice,” said Cekic. “But it’s better than no season.”

It’s difficult to play in a mask, Hoxha said, “but I can still enjoy playing the sport and get reps in.”

Cekic and Hoxha said that the Brooklyn Elite club season is going really well and it offers a good opportunity for girls who want to practice volleyball and stay safe.

“Some girls haven't touched a ball since last season,” Hoxha said, “so it's definitely a good opportunity to play.”

Gasp -- Faces! The girls volleyball team poses for a group photo in September 2019. Photo: Continental Studios

Boys Volleyball

By ABDUL AWAN

The boy’s volleyball team had a strong crew last year with its all-senior starting lineup. Even having lost some star players to graduation, and with this season’s uncertainty, the remaining players are staying passionate.

Mark Afanasyev ’22, a member of the boys varsity volleyball team, hopes that they can play together again with the current seniors before they lose their chance.

Players wear masks and play with a plastic-covered net in a private club game at Manhattan’s Alfred E. Smith Recreation Center over the summer. Photo: Mark Afanasyev

“Many of my teammates were moody after their season was canceled back in March,” said Afanasyev. “Although this feeling has somewhat subsided, it still persists today since there is no news of volleyball returning in the spring.”

There are currently no official practice games, drills, or conditioning sessions. Having no one to work out with or talk to has been the biggest downside of the situation, players said. So it has been up to them to work out on their own time and get better for the next season.

To get back in the groove of things, players set up times on weekends to have practice games. They usually go to Brighton Beach or Pier 6 in Brooklyn Heights to play volleyball, they have a planned workout schedule, and they can join clubs with organized teams that compete in tournaments.

“Many of my teammates have played beach volleyball during the summer or have decided to join clubs or play at recreational centers as practice,” Afanasyev said. “One of the most famous clubs in New York is Impact. The practice and regular games require a person to wear a face mask, and they also use a net covered with plastic. This will probably be the future of volleyball until the virus is over.”

Unfortunately, it’s expensive to join these clubs. Afanasyev said that the cost starts at around $3,000. “Ain’t nobody got that much paper to play some ball!” he said.

Players have also started to create weekly workout schedules for those on the team who still want to stay in shape. The initiative has helped the team stay organized and keep their volleyball skills as sharp as possible. Also, the schedule brought back some of the normalcy that the team had before the pandemic.

Afanasyev’s workouts consist of an upper-lower split. On Tuesdays and Fridays he focuses on his upper body, and on Mondays and Thursdays he focuses on his lower body. Wednesdays and weekends are rest days.

“We really don’t know what to expect, so it is important to stay in shape and not get rusty when the time comes,” said Afanasyev. “Even though the season is probably not going to be played, we should still keep our hopes up for next year, and keep getting better as a team. Next season, spirits will be a lot higher, and I think everyone will have a lot of fun. It may be boring right now, but that will make next season much more enjoyable.”