It Took a Village For Summer Volleyball, Lets Do It Again
Getting back to volleyball this summer was a little bit like dipping your toe in the lake just to see how cold the water was. It was cold, it was uncomfortable, unsettling. However, just like any lake, once you get use to it, it was back to what you love and it was all fun and game – with a few temperature checks and added precautions.
Looking back on social media I returned to the gym on June 4 to check out a One Wisconsin Volleyball practice in the Ashwaubenon/Green Bay area. I was nervous, what was this “new normal” going to be like? The facility along with the coaches and athletes were great. Procedures were followed with everyone having the same feeling of, “Whatever it takes to play”.
So we had a scrimmage yesterday. Here are some highlights…of new safety and sanitation procedures. Thank you to the @ChampionCtr for their staff and commitment to teaming up in providing a safe experience for the athletes! pic.twitter.com/qguRZmZukx
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) June 21, 2020
From there, Prep Dig moved forward with small events at the Community First Champion Center in Appleton. If you’ve been to the facility, you can see where it is one of the best in the Midwest and I would go as far as to say the country with the space and amenities it provides. This has provided a home for Prep Dig events and ultimately a place for athletes to play. Between this facility and Milwaukee Sting, athletes have had the chance to compete, to feel normal, and do what they love to do.
Celebrate for someone…we all need it sometimes 🙂 pic.twitter.com/LXAIA6tprJ
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) July 10, 2020
This whole summer, it took a village for this to happen. Depending on the location of the school, the rules as to what coaches could do for the schools, the ambiguity was at an all time high. Some high school coaches had to be hands off, even the ones with their own daughters on the team. Parents were stepping in to help organize, former players of the program would come back and coach, and even players currently on the team were the ones organizing schedules and even payments for the event.
We survived the summer, we made volleyball happen, but the job is not done yet.
In order to have a successful fall (no matter if you have a high school fall or spring season), the village will have to work together. School will start and teams will have to do their best to create their own bubble to keep their season alive where success isn’t only measured in wins or losses, but keeping the team safe and healthy week to week. There have been teams in Iowa (top ten ranked teams) who have had to shut their season down for two weeks due to exposure or a positive test on the team. Teams are choosing to wear masks while they play knowing every detail matters.
We need this. We need this. We need this. We need this. We need this….. pic.twitter.com/m6LfK2tP2P
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) July 11, 2020
For teams who do not have a fall high school season, there are options to play in fall leagues. However, the WIAA rules do not allow coaches to coach their team if they are not in season while the school year has started. Once again, the village of parents, former players, the volleyball community will step up and find a way to make this work in order for these athletes to do what they love and also another chance to be healthy and compete with and against their friends.
The sun has set on the Prep Dig Sizzle. We did it. We made volleyball happen! Thank you parents, coaches, athletes, and the @ChampionCtr pic.twitter.com/CHp1ZuwGrV
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) July 11, 2020
Navigating the fluidity of volleyball hasn’t been easy since the beginning of March (major understatement), but we did it. We made it happen and it took all parts of the village. As we move into the next season, we will find a way. Things look different now, but for the athletes, they just want to play, they want to be with their friends, and they want to do what they love. We know what it takes and we will do everything in our power to provide a positive experience for all.
We smiled with our eyes! Quite a summer! Thank you @ChampionCtr for being our home for multiple events and thank you athletes, parents and coaches for letting us do what we love to do! See you somewhere this fall @BreitNelson @prepdigrachel pic.twitter.com/ta9iu6lYZ7
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) August 27, 2020