Late evening on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, Redwood’s varsity volleyball team was informed of a Covid-19 exposure forcing them to quarantine for the next 10 days. Despite the team having to put their season on hold after waiting nearly 18 months to play, the girls were able to knock out some games before the quarantine including; a scrimmage against Tulare Western, a tournament held at Central Valley Christian, and their first two pre-season games against Centennial and Kingsburg.
For her first official year at Redwood High School, varsity’s libero, Devyn Castaneda, ’24 like the rest of her team, was quickly sent home due to the exposure. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Castaneda is staying positive as she is thankful to “get it over with” during pre-season rather than the actual season. She adds, “there could be worse things like not having a season at all.”
After making varsity her sophomore year, and then deciding to take a break her junior year, Elise Hyde, ’22 is now back and ready to play for her final year at Redwood. Varsity’s starting middle blocker, Hyde says, “this particular volleyball season is special because not only is it my senior year, but I have the chance to play with my sister, Audrey.”
Audrey Hyde, ’24 like Castaneda, is new to Redwood and the team. Having the opportunity to play with her older sister, Elise has been “really fun,” Hyde says. She adds, “we have been looking forward to this” and hopes they will get the rest of the season to make the most of it.
Varsity player Jennifer Meneces, ’22 like many others, was saddened by the news of the shutdown. She is “disappointed because the team has worked so hard these past couple months.” Meneces went on to share that even though times are hard, it taught the team, “work ethic and fight.”
Kailynn Rios, ’22 found out about the shut-down by her teammates. In regards to the teams skill and condition when they return, Rios states, “since a lot of our players work-out outside of volleyball, playing beach volleyball and exercise at home, I feel like we won’t be as far back as people expect us to be.”
Outside hitter, Morgan Castaneda, ’23 was sad as much as scared from the horrible news. She says, “it’s pretty scary- I was convinced things were going back to normal and looking up.” She is still “hopeful” for the rest of the season, and is trying her best to keep a positive attitude.
Varsity head coach, Alana Montgomery finds the set back “frustrating,” but the health and safety of her players is her “first priority.”
“We will do what we have always done- be the best we can be through adversity and the time we have been given.”
Alana Montgomery, Varsity Volleyball Head Coach
Varsity senior, Elise Hyde is in the running for athlete of the week for the Visalia Times Delta. To vote and support the team, you can find the poll on the Visalia Times Delta Sports page.
Despite how ironic it is that Hyde gets nominated for athlete of the week the week she isn’t playing, she is “honored to be recognized and proud to represent the Redwood volleyball program.”
The team should be back to practicing Monday, the 30. Their first game after their two-week long quarantine will be on Wednesday, September 1 against Mission Oak away at 6:30 pm.
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