Coaches Prepare For Best-of-5 Matches

By ERIC X. VICCARO

Ste. Genevieve Herald

Thanks to COVID-19 (coronavirus), high school volleyball season currently hangs in a delicate balance.

But, local coaches Nancy Fischer and Carla Basler are both optimistic it will happen.

And when it does, Missouri scholastic volleyball players will be knee pads deep in a sweeping change to how the sport is played in the “Show Me State.”

Show me more volleyball.

The Missouri State High School Activities Association board voted to transform the game from a best 2-of-3 to 3-of-5 format in 2018.

But, what about simply having a season in the first place?

“I do think we will start playing volleyball,” said longtime Valle Catholic High School head coach Nancy Fischer. “I anticipate the schools will play.”

Ste. Genevieve High School first-year head volleyball coach Carla Basler, a one time assistant to Fischer, also chimed in.

“I am certainly hopeful,” Basler said. “We want the kids to be in school and for life to be as normal as can be. The numbers of coronavirus cases will determine if it’s feasible.”

Fischer said she expects there will be an adjustment to playing best-of-5, but the girls are used to having their conditioning put to the test during Saturday tournaments.