A Not So Perfect Season Leads to a Perfect Bond

By Isabella Negron 

Oyster Bay High School’s very own JV volleyball team faced a tough loss against Wheatley High School on March 18th, keeping their record at 0-2. Both teams played well, despite new restrictions placed on the JV team as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

​This season has been a challenging one for the JV Baymen, who must not only adjust to playing on a high school team, but must also play under Covid restrictions. Volleyball, a high-risk sport, requires masks and testing, among other protocols. Players are doing their best to adjust to these regulations on top of worrying about the fate of their future varsity season.

Last year’s JV season was almost undefeated for the team, until they competed against their rival, Island Trees. 
Sophomore Sofia Gagliardi, who played on the JV team both last year and this year, says, “I really hope that with these new changes happening this season, I will be able to still make individual achievements as well as team ones too.” 

The girls may be upset that they can’t compete in any major events due Covid-19 restrictions, but they are still  ecstatic that they are able to play this season. 

Sophomore Faith Lingen says, “Last year we were so close to becoming undefeated. I at least hope this season we can have a perfect record.”

​The girls have had practice almost every single day to ensure that their team is not one to mess with in the future. At practices, the girls complete a set of drills as a kick-off before getting into scrimmages and conditioning. 

“Yeah it sucks to run, but I know it’s going to benefit me in some way,” says Ryleigh Greene, a sophomore. 

Lingen adds,“Practices are appreciated by the team because it’s the place to make mistakes and learn from them, so you don’t make them in games.” 

​Even though this season isn’t the same as years prior, the girls have pushed through and found a bright side: they at least have the opportunity to play the sport they love. These changes have brought them closer as a team and improved communication during games. The girls are excited for the season that lies ahead.

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