Southmont Volleyball overcoming shortened schedule
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the high school sports landscape drastically this season. Every team is being impacted in some way, shape, or form. However, the Southmont Volleyball team is having to overcome not just the loss of one of the greatest players in program history in Lexi Nelson, but the team has played significantly less games this year than normal.
While most teams are have played around anywhere from 16-20 games so far, the Mounties have only played just 11 games on the season. Despite early season struggles, the lady mounties currently hold a 7-4 record and are winners of five in a row. Head coach Lauran Nichols sees the shortened schedule both ways for her team as they prepare for a stretch run.
“I do think a positive to this has been that we aren’t getting exhausted as much as we would be in a normal season,” Nichols said. “However, on the flip side of things we’re having to work our flaws in the middle of a season since we had no pre-season, so it’s definitely provided a challenge at points this year. Our girls have overcome it really well and it’s almost a blessing because we’re hitting our stride as the end of the season approaches.”
Implementing a new rotation and trying to find the identity of the team in the midst of a shortened season resulted in the team starting out with a 2-4 record. The Mounties concluded their Sagamore Conference schedule on Wednesday with a five-set win over Danville. Back to back wins over Crawfordsville and the Warriors see the team end with a 5-2 record and Nichols said her team is starting to hit their stride.
“This is the best record we’ve had in conference since I’ve been here” she said. “That speaks to what kind of team that we are, and I think we’re starting to play our best ball we’ve played all season.”
With so many unknowns surrounding this season, sometimes it can be hard to keep a level head and mindset. Nichols talked about how her team is attempting to do just that.
“It’s been hard this season, because the girls aren’t used to a season like this,” she said. “We’ve just had to buckle down and focus each and every time we’re out there on the court and take advantage of the time that we have. Every day that we’re together we tell them that they have to leave everything out on the court because the next game could be their last. There’s an extra level of urgency with every game and it’s just another motivator for them.”
The Mounties will look to make it back to back sectional titles this season, but before the postseason begins they still have four regular season games remaining; the first being against South Vermillion on Monday.
CHS girls soccer not giving in to COVID quarantine
Having a lost season. That’s what Crawfordsville girls soccer team is not thinking about after getting back out on the field for after having to quarantine due to COVID-19. The team took the field last Saturday against Northview for the first time in 20 days. The team also had to quickly prepare for county matchups in their first full week back as the Athenians took Southmont to the wire in a 1-0 loss and were defeated against the Chargers 7-0 on Thursday.
Through all of it, coach Laurie Vellner has kept a positive outlook, even though battling frustrations throughout.
“We came back and played so well against Southmont but came up just short,” Vellner said. “After we were quarantined, our girls could’ve just written off the rest of the season, but we were able to pick up right where we left off which is very pleasing to see. Our offense just has to get a little bit better and get more shots on goal to have a chance moving forward.”
The Athenians are still looking for their first win on the season but Vellner has seen some bright spots this season including freshman goalie Zoey Corbin.
“She’s a fantastic person to have in goal for us,” Vellner said. “She’s gotten better every single game and is learning every single day how to get better. We’re still working on the communication aspect with her a little bit and be a bit more demanding, but I can’t wait to see how she develops these next few years, she’s only going to get better.”
While the team was quarantined for those 20 days, Vellner mentioned that the team was staying in constant communication with one another regarding workouts, practices at their homes etc via social media.
“It played a huge role,” she said. “They were basically doing summer workouts while we couldn’t meet in person. To keep our spirits up we’d just send each other funny memes and things like that to keep a positive outlook on things. We realized that we still had two more weeks left in our season once we got back. It’s been a whirlwind but I’m glad we’re back.”
Athenian boys tennis starting to click at the right time
The Crawfordsville boys’ tennis team are starting to find their rhythm out on the court. Winning three out of their last five matches has given the team a lot more confidence every time they play. Led by junior Austin Motz at one singles and only one senior on the team, coach Craig Brainard is loving the way his team has started to play as the postseason is looming next week.
“I think if we play the way we played last night against Frankfort, we could’ve beaten a lot more teams this season,” Brainard said. “Our two doubles really stepped up and rose to the occasion in a three set win after they trailed 0-1. That was an awesome moment for them and they’ll have a new fire going for them as we start to end the season.”
Even though in an individual sport like tennis, Brainard also noted that his team is starting to play well together. He mentioned the team cheering for one another during matches and even off the court they are still building a sense of togetherness and comradery.
“That been the biggest thing I’ve seen this year,” he said. “Their confidence and teamwork has grown and that’s led to these last few wins we’ve had. They work hard no matter what and playing are really starting to find what works for them.”
The Athenians have one more match before the season comes to a close. They will host Terre Haute North on Monday before hosting the sectional beginning Wednesday.
“I think our confidence level is pretty high going into next week,” Brainard said. “I have told the guys thought that we can’t over-estimate or under-estimate an opponent and just play the ball.”
