Indoor Sports Starting Outside
Due to guidelines set by SJUSD, basketball and volleyball practiced outside for the majority of their sports seasons.
By Sydney Teves
Due to guidelines set by SJUSD, basketball and volleyball practiced outside for the majority of their sports seasons.
By Sydney Teves
Although the Blossom Valley Athletic League opened up the seasons for basketball and volleyball, Pioneer athletes were unable to compete for the full season in their usual setting due to alternate rules and regulations from the San Jose Unified School District.
Due to coronavirus levels in the county, volleyball was only allowed to play outdoors and basketball had to start their season off outside but other school districts that compete in the league, like East Side Union and Morgan Hill allowed their indoor sports to compete for the full season indoors and this has left some students frustrated with SJUSD’s decision. According to Principal Herb Espiritu, SJUSD followed guidelines that say indoor sports can be played inside if they follow the college testing requirements which would be to have the athletes tested three times a week. Other school districts that are allowing their sports to be played inside while not yet in the yellow tier are able to follow those testing requirements, but SJUSD decided they wouldn't be able to follow those protocols. |
“They would be technically allowed to play indoors this year if we get to the yellow tier which I hear might be (May 19) in our county because once you get in the yellow the college testing requirements are not needed anymore,” said Espiritu.
After that date, boys basketball was now able to compete outdoors for the end of their season as Santa Clara County dropped into the yellow tier.
The girls volleyball team was able to set up nets in the soccer field when they had practice or played games. Alysia Yllan, 12, plays varsity volleyball and was a bit frustrated with the restrictions but didn’t let it distract her from the fact that she was able to play.
“This year, practice was really different because it was outdoors so we were either playing in wet grass, 90 degree weather, cloudy weather, or in lots of wind, but if anything it helped me adapt and adjust to the sport and made it more challenging and fun,” said Yllan. “Honestly it was really annoying not being able to play indoors this year because our district was really strict. Seeing friends from other schools all around us playing indoor volleyball was kinda hard but we were glad we were able to play with our own teammates.”
To comply with the new restrictions and because of the shortened season, basketball was only able to play a few games this year compared to the usual 14 games they would play in a regular school year. They also aren’t playing against the same schools as most are from different districts so they are playing an SJUSD only league on courts at Saratoga High School. Ethan Schweizer, 10, plays varsity basketball and is very excited to have the chance to play games against other schools this year.
“This season there are 10 games so it’s a lot less than it usually is. I miss being able to play indoors because that is where basketball is played but happy that we can play outside,” said Schweizer.
Another varsity volleyball player, Julia LaPierre, 10, found playing outside a bit more challenging, but also found some advantages to the change in scenery.
“I kind of liked playing out there with some nice fresh air, but I do miss not having to worry about tripping on the lines since you have to put it in the ground,” said LaPierre. “ I am so grateful to have been given that opportunity. It was a lot of fun! It was not bad. I enjoyed it and it got me out of the house, so that’s always a good thing.”
Seniors this year and last year did not get to experience their final year of high school sports in their full glory as the seasons were cut short. Similar to last year, some sports were not able to have a complete season or a season at all but the boys basketball team was able to play a 3-week SJUSD only league and practice despite it being outdoors. Justice Owens, 12, is very appreciative of this opportunity because it is a nice ending to his last year of playing high school sports.
“To be able to even play these last few games as a senior means a lot and I’m happy that I have something to play for this year and grateful that it was put together for us during times like these,” said Owens. “Playing outside and having a basketball league outdoors is a cool little experience for me and my teammates. Obviously I wish we could have an actual season indoors, but because of the circumstances, I think just playing in this league at all is enough and I will appreciate it being the end.”
After that date, boys basketball was now able to compete outdoors for the end of their season as Santa Clara County dropped into the yellow tier.
The girls volleyball team was able to set up nets in the soccer field when they had practice or played games. Alysia Yllan, 12, plays varsity volleyball and was a bit frustrated with the restrictions but didn’t let it distract her from the fact that she was able to play.
“This year, practice was really different because it was outdoors so we were either playing in wet grass, 90 degree weather, cloudy weather, or in lots of wind, but if anything it helped me adapt and adjust to the sport and made it more challenging and fun,” said Yllan. “Honestly it was really annoying not being able to play indoors this year because our district was really strict. Seeing friends from other schools all around us playing indoor volleyball was kinda hard but we were glad we were able to play with our own teammates.”
To comply with the new restrictions and because of the shortened season, basketball was only able to play a few games this year compared to the usual 14 games they would play in a regular school year. They also aren’t playing against the same schools as most are from different districts so they are playing an SJUSD only league on courts at Saratoga High School. Ethan Schweizer, 10, plays varsity basketball and is very excited to have the chance to play games against other schools this year.
“This season there are 10 games so it’s a lot less than it usually is. I miss being able to play indoors because that is where basketball is played but happy that we can play outside,” said Schweizer.
Another varsity volleyball player, Julia LaPierre, 10, found playing outside a bit more challenging, but also found some advantages to the change in scenery.
“I kind of liked playing out there with some nice fresh air, but I do miss not having to worry about tripping on the lines since you have to put it in the ground,” said LaPierre. “ I am so grateful to have been given that opportunity. It was a lot of fun! It was not bad. I enjoyed it and it got me out of the house, so that’s always a good thing.”
Seniors this year and last year did not get to experience their final year of high school sports in their full glory as the seasons were cut short. Similar to last year, some sports were not able to have a complete season or a season at all but the boys basketball team was able to play a 3-week SJUSD only league and practice despite it being outdoors. Justice Owens, 12, is very appreciative of this opportunity because it is a nice ending to his last year of playing high school sports.
“To be able to even play these last few games as a senior means a lot and I’m happy that I have something to play for this year and grateful that it was put together for us during times like these,” said Owens. “Playing outside and having a basketball league outdoors is a cool little experience for me and my teammates. Obviously I wish we could have an actual season indoors, but because of the circumstances, I think just playing in this league at all is enough and I will appreciate it being the end.”