Lady Lions to be back on court Oct. 10
By Donnie A Lucas
The 2020 volleyball is in the midst of an abrupt “time-out” after several members of the varsity squad tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus late last week, forcing the school to place the varsity and two coaches in quarantine.
Several games on the schedule have been cancelled, with the varsity team slated to get back on the court for practice on Friday, Oct. 9 when the two-week quarantine period ends.
The Lady Lions are holding steady with a season record of 13-2, including a 2-0 mark in District 6-2A.
Albany was scheduled to play Ranger on Tuesday for a second time, but the game has been postponed until Oct. 16.
“The positive side of being quarantined now rather than later in the season is that we still have time to make up our game with Ranger, finish district, and move into the playoffs,” head volleyball coach M.J. Reneau said.
The district is comprised of both Class 1A and 2A teams, which go their separate ways in the different brackets during the playoffs.
“At the district volleyball meeting in August, we knew there was a pretty high chance that the coronavirus could affect our season,” she said. “The district coaches wanted to protect against any disruptions the best we could, so we chose to keep the 1A and 2A records separate this season.”
She explained that only Albany, Hawley, and Ranger are competing for the championship and playoff berths in the 2A bracket.
The Lady Lions will pick up their schedule again on Saturday, Oct. 10 in Moran, with a 10:00 a.m. start for the varsity.
The JV Lady Lions will get back on the court Tuesday, Oct. 6, hosting Abilene TLC at 6:30 p.m.
“I’ve encouraged the girls to stay positive and stay active,” Reneau said. “I know quarantining is hard but not having a season would be harder,” she said. “We still have a chance to finish strong, and I’m hoping for the best outcome.”
While members of the team who tested positive will remain in quarantine until Oct. 9, other team members who obtain a negative test results will be allowed to return to campus for classes.
Students who are in quarantine or whose parents have opted to keep them at home are required to attend classes online.
Reneau has been in quarantine as well, although she tested negative. She has not been released to return to school by her doctor.
Rising Star Results
The Lady Lions had little trouble earning a win during their last game on Sept. 22 in Rising Star.
Albany brought back a 25-1, 25-4, 25-5 win.
“Our serves were great at Rising Star,” Reneau said. “We recorded 35 aces and only two errors.”
albany VS. Rising Star
PLAYER Serves Kills Digs Blks Asst
T Fuentes 15 0 2 0 0
A Garcia 7 1 0 0 0
S Cotter 4 9 1 0 0
C Holson 24 1 1 0 20
H Trail 0 4 0 0 0
C Nelson 1 0 0 0 0
B Belcher 11 0 0 0 0
T Brown 4 9 1 0 0
M Farmer 8 0 0 0 0
C Edgar 0 3 1 0 0
