The Pascack Hills volleyball team has had a different season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of their season running from August through November, they are having a winter season from March through April per a recommendation by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA). 

Lindsay Runge, the volleyball coach at Hills, said that this season is “dramatically shortened” in comparison to a typical one. 

“The last possible day to schedule a game is April 24. A shortened and potential state sectional tournament was scheduled during the week of April 12 and 19,” she explained. 

The team’s practices have also changed. While they are being held in-person, Runge reported that all of the athletes wear masks and are in separate pods to avoid spreading the virus. 

“Safety is at the forefront of each practice, as it has always been,” she said.

Gianna Bucello, a sophomore and member of the junior varsity (JV) team, gave her input on how practices have changed. She said, “It’s different to play with a mask and learn to socially distance from your teammates when we go on the court. The coaches are trying to keep everyone safe and healthy.”

The varsity team was supposed to have their first game on March 16 at Ramsey High School, but it was canceled hours before the game due to the virus. This would have been the team’s first game in over 16 months. They have a game this Friday, March 26 against Demarest.

“As we were told about our shut down just hours before the game, it was truly heartbreaking. Every one of us came to school that morning thinking, ‘Wow, we are finally going to be able to play,’” Runge stated. 

Emma Kofitsas, Hills senior and varsity player, said that “the team being shut down for our first game was definitely very difficult and frustrating. I’ve been waiting for a year and a half to get back into this season, and it was upsetting to miss two weeks of it. However, I believe it made us stronger as a team.” 

Although Runge and varsity have been quarantined, the JV and freshman teams are still able to practice. Varsity has also been working together virtually by preparing for upcoming games while at home. They will be able to play their first game on Monday after being quarantined. 

“We have virtual practices that consist of team meetings, workouts, meditation, watching live streamed games, film, ball control drills, and team breakfasts. I made a Kahoot geared towards our needs based on the volleyball concepts and offensive/defensive schemes that we needed to address, and it gave more of a competitive and engaging twist on things,” Runge explained. 

Nicole Ensmann, another sophomore and JV athlete, gave her input on this year’s season, “I am looking forward to practicing with my team and having the best season possible. Although this season is shorter than usual, I can’t wait for our future games, and I am happy that we even got a season.”

Bucello added, “even though this season will be different from other seasons in regards to the pandemic, we all want it to be just as enjoyable as all the other years with the fundraising, competition, and having a very successful season.” 

Runge made a final comment on the changes of this year’s season. 

“It is not the ideal situation, but we are making the best of our scenario and plan to come out of this stronger, even if it means less opportunities to physically be on the court. Everything is put into perspective for us, and every moment matters.”