Story By: Danielle Lee

With a postponed season and two week shut down, the University of Montevallo volleyball team was ready to get back to practice in late September. Practice, however, looks different this year.

In addition to the guidelines put in place by the University and athletic department, the volleyball team has been doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19. Their coaches require masks during practices, encourage social distancing as much as possible, and even rotate the volleyballs used each practice.

“With the possibility of the virus living on surfaces for a little bit longer, we’re bringing out only half of the volleyballs each day, and we’re making sure that they’re gonna be clean and cycled in and out,” says assistant volleyball coach Jason McCown.

Maximum capacities on rooms and random COVID-19 testing for student-athletes are among the new rules implemented by the University of Montevallo’s athletic department.

Coach McCown believes staying positive has been one of the greatest struggles during this pandemic, but he also hopes the experience will be a point of growth for the team. “I think maybe they’ll come out of it a little bit stronger and a little bit more willing to adapt to different types of adversity.”

Although some uncertainty remains about the year ahead, head coach Katie O’Brien, Coach McCown, and the volleyball team are excited to compete again when the time comes.

The University of Montevallo volleyball plans to start competition in the Gulf South Conference in the spring.

Visit the Montevallo volleyball page for the latest updates.