Tom Dodge
After weeks of wondering if the high school volleyball season could be played with conronavirus pandemic still in the state, the LHSAA told the schools it could begin competition.
St. Edmund and Eunice High will face each other in a scrimmage Thursday at the Lady Jay gym.
“The girls are very excited to play,” St. Edmund head coach Barry Manuel said. “I was skeptical that we would have a season, but am excited they get the chance to get out on the court and compete.”
Schools received a LHSAA memo Monday informing them of the decision to move forward with volleyball in Phase 2.
Schools will be allowed to scrimmage other schools twice this week before the regular season begins Sept. 8.
No more than 25 students and essential personnel will be limited to 10 adults.
The memo stated there are no tournaments or tri-matches allowed this season.
All facilities must be sanitized prior to use by different groups.
Face masks, temperature checks and social distancing are required.
Athletes may chose not to wear masks while playing, but officials, coaches, other essential staff and players on the benches must wear facemasks.
“We have a great group of seniors,” Manuel said. “They have been playing together for three years and they know each other flaws and their strengths.
“They play well with each other and lead the others on the team.”
St. Edmund will open the season at home on Sept. 9 against Crowley, while Eunice High will entertain Westgate.
The Lady Jays and Lady Cats will face each other twice in the regular season.
“I like that we are playing Eunice High,” Manuel said. “The kids know each other and I think it is a good thing for the community.”
Eunice will play host to the Lady Jays on Sept. 21, while St. Ed’s will entertain the Lady Cats on Oct. 3.
The regular season is set to conclude on Oct. 29.
“It is a great thing for the kids to see them get back to some kind of normalcy,” Eunice High head coach Wayne Fontenot said.
Fontenot said he plans to have Senior Night early in the season.
“I don’t want them to miss that opportunity like the teams in the spring.”
Fontenot said his team is ready for the season.
“They have a lot of energy and they are very athletic,” he said. “We have more experience and hopefully that helps us win more games. I want to see them compete.”
St. Edmund finished 4-20 last season, while Eunice High was 1-19.