LORENA, Texas — Crawford and Lorena squared off in a volleyball scrimmage August 7, one of the first UIL-sanctioned high school sporting events in Central Texas since the UIL canceled the spring sports season due to COVID-19.
Players like Crawford senior Taylor Westerfeld were asked to sign forms saying they had not experienced symptoms related to COVID-19 in the last week before loading the bus with masks on and making the trip to Lorena.
At the scrimmage, Lorena enforced social distancing by only allowing fans with pre-purchased tickets in hand to enter the gym. They limited ticket sales to 50 percent capacity, in accordance with UIL guidelines.
In addition, they taped off select seats to further require fans to distance themselves in the stands.
As we wait for the opening serve, some notes about #Lorena seating:
— Jack Allen (@JackAllenKXXV) August 7, 2020
-Rows are taped off so no one is sitting directly behind someone.
-The front row (closest to players) is entirely taped off
-Rows alternate pattern (ex: 4 blocked, 2 open -> 4 open, 2 blocked) pic.twitter.com/dFWmMMeZni
"The hardest thing is just sometimes the kids say they can't hear me because I have a mask on," Crawford Head Coach Jeff Coker said. "So, I feel like I'm having to yell even louder. It's early in the season, but I already feel like I'm losing my voice."
Players were required to wear a face covering when they were not actively exercising, meaning when players like Westerfeld had to put their masks back on every time they subbed out of the game and onto the bench.
"It's not fun, but we're following all the protocols so we can keep playing," Westerfeld said.
Westerfeld and the Pirates won the 2A state title a year ago, but this season, COVID-19 has forced coaches to throw the championship routine out the window.
For the athletes, finally competing in a competitive fixture was a welcome relief after months of uncertainty.
"We practiced and we did everything, but it was so much different than doing it for real," Westerfeld said. "We had so many differences in practices and so many changes. It was just nice to be on the court."
Coach Coker agreed, saying they plan to do whatever they have to in order to continue playing this fall.
"It's uncomfortable wearing the mask," he said. "You're doing it to protect people's safety and to follow the guidelines that have been put forward for us. But, nobody likes wearing em."
Crawford won the scrimmage 3-2. The Pirates took the first set before falling behind 2-1 and eventually coming back for their first victory of the 2020 season.
