Scott Swanson
Sweet Home volleyball had a banner year last season, with a second-place finish at state and high hopes for another run at a state title with a team loaded with seniors who have started since they were freshmen.
But then came COVID, which essentially shut things down for the year. But not completely.
Head Coach Mary Hutchins is taking the opportunity to introduce the sport to girls who may be tired of sitting at home. Hutchins says she’s got room for any girls, fifth grade and up, who want to learn and develop volleyball skills.
Although the Oregon School Activities Association has decided there will not be state playoffs this year, local players have competed in sand volleyball and quad tournaments this summer and they plan to continue doing so this fall, when the five-week “mini season” runs from Oct. 25 to Nov. 28.
Hutchins said she has reached out to other coaches in the area about competing during those five weeks, but whether those matches come to fruition will depend on schools’ policies and other factors.
Meanwhile, “we’ve been keeping the kids involved, finding ways for them to compete legally, safely,” said Hutchins, whose team normally would be a week or two into league play by this point in the season. “The kids are enjoying it. They still have a passion to play and the desire. They miss competing. They showed up and continued to show up.”
In fact, she said, volleyball coaches have seen record numbers show up for open gym sessions this summer.
“We’ve sometimes had to break into multiple sessions so all the kids could participate,” Hutchins said.
OSAA rules require players to wear masks while completing indoors, and balls are sanitized frequently.
Plus, coaches show up early and stay late to clean.
“A lot of sanitization goes on before and after practices,” Hutchins said.
During the time period before Oct. 25, she said she and other coaches will concentrate on younger players, middle school-age down to fifth-graders.
“I’ll find a spot where I can fit them in,” she said, adding that she’s considering putting on some camps for the younger players. “The kids who are not in spring sports will be helping me.”
“I have been very impressed with my kids’ ability to show up and be flexible, to follow the rules but still play volleyball, with all the rules and restrictions.”
To learn more about participating in volleyball, contact Hutchins at (541) 401-9104 or by email at [email protected].