Lady Flyers Embracing the Challenge of an Out of the Ordinary Volleyball Experience
In the year of COVID 19 it seems quite ordinary somehow for the Sandhills Community College volleyball players and their coaches to be wearing masks as they practice on the court at The Hangar.
"I told the girls that if you can do what you are doing masked up imagine what you can do when the masks come off," Head Coach and Associate Athletic Director Alicia Riggan said before a workout last week. "It's not ideal, but they're not complaining and they're doing great."
Regular Season Pushed Back to January
One of the major changes in college sports resulting from the pandemic has been the pushing back of the regular season for volleyball and basketball to the start of 2021.
Riggan, who is being assisted by Kristin Hylton, Lindsay McMannon, Jacob Marley, and Jordan Ward, has emphasized that this season will be more about keeping everyone safe than winning matches. Team trainer Stefanie Mansfield is leading that effort. In addition to water breaks during practices there will be hand washing breaks. Temperatures will be taken and a COVID questionnaire completed by each player on a daily basis.
"I know that the kids are excited," Riggan said before a practice last week. "I'm excited, but our season doesn't start until January. It's an unusual time and never in my coaching career have I experienced something like this. But it's nice to know we don't have to go full out from day one. It's going to be a longer year so I don't want them to get burned out now."
The NJCAA COVID 19 Plan of Action permits 60 consecutive calendar days for practice and scrimmages, beginning on September 1. The Lady Flyers are currently practicing each morning from 7:30 am to 9:00 am. They also participate in a daily conditioning class led by Associate Athletic Director Ryan Riggan.
The first of the five permitted scrimmages will be at home on October 8 against Spartanburg Methodist. Spectators will not be allowed, but the possibility of streaming regular season matches is being explored. The first regular season match is also at home against Guilford Tech on January 26. The season concludes with the NJCAA Division III National Championship that will be held in Rochester, MN on April 14-16.
Team Chemistry Strong From the Start
Hopes are high for the eight returnees from last year's squad of all first-year Flyers that finished with a record of 20-12 and won both the regular season and Region 10 tournament titles following a 3-6 start. The four newcomers on this year's team are all expected to play important roles.
One of the sophomore's is middle hitter Carley Modlin, the Region 10 Player of the Year and Honorable Mention All-American. The 6-foot-1 middle hitter was eighth in the nation in kill percentage and 6th in total blocks last season. She is being recruited by UNC-Asheville.
Outside hitters Morgan Denman and Christen Clontz, and setter Camryn Lowe also earned All-Region 10 honors. The other returnees are defensive specialist Mya Sencenbaugh, outside hitter Elyria Hackney and middle hitters Khalie Jones and Alexus McCrimmon.
Lowe was asked if the more than three month wait for the regular season to begin makes it harder to get motivated at practice.
"Personally, I don't think it makes a difference," she said. "We're all excited and I think we treat every practice like it could be our last. I think that's why we work so hard. And then if the season does continue on in the spring that will be phenomenal and I hope it happens. We'll be more prepared than we've ever been.
"The chemistry is really amazing. We've already bonded with the incoming freshmen girls."
The freshmen include liberos Mariah Daffron (Voyager Academy) and Abby Quick (Scotland County), outside/rightside Brooke Anne Fryar (Ronald Reagan) and setter Mya Mallard (Athens Drive).
"The four new girls have adapted well in the transition phase," Riggan says. "They all come from good programs and are well balanced in the fundamentals."
Quick competed against several of the Lady Flyers in high school.
"I actually love it here at Sandhills," she says. "There are a lot of changes and transitioning, but I've learned a lot since I've been here."
Playing in the Sand
Adding to the anticipation for the Sandhills coaches and players is the introduction of Beach Volleyball as an additional spring sport at the college. The NJCAA added Beach Volleyball in 2019. Making things even more interesting, there will be some overlap in the court and sand seasons with the coaches and players having the opportunity to participate in both.
Sandhills will be one of about 30 colleges throughout the country to field a team. The NJCAA has also allowed for a 60 day practice period and four scrimmages in the fall. There are currently two sand courts on the campus. Sandhills is scheduled to host the Flyers Invitational on April 23-24.
Riggan, who played volleyball at UNC-Pembroke, has not played beach volleyball which involves two players on each side having to cover the entire court. The sport is becoming increasingly popular in North Carolina on the high school club level.
"I think I'm going to love beach volleyball," she says. "I hope I can do it justice and get it up and running. I think it will be something exciting to involve our community in."
Getting Back on The Court
Modlin feels playing in the sand will help in building her power and ability to jump. She looks at the long stretch between now and the opening match in January as an opportunity for the team to be more prepared than it was for last season.
Most of the junior college volleyball programs in the state will not be active in the fall.
"I actually think the team has looked really good considering the long break we've had," she says. "It is definitely better being around people and your teammates, and being social, and doing something you love like volleyball. It's helping build the chemistry."
C.Bergmann