MHS Volleyball: Not just a game

Manchester High School Volleyball Seniors (pictured left to right): Serenity Flint, Victoria Woods, Gwen Gebhardt, Kayla Ridenour, and Ellie Grinnell

submitted by Wendy Gebhardt

The Lady Dutch 2020 Volleyball season has been a roller coaster of changes and unknowns due the COVID-19 pandemic. All summer practices could only be held outdoors, in the sun and wind, while the team had to “invent” a new way to practice in the grass with spray painted courts. Manchester high school volleyball successfully held try-outs and did everything possible to maintain normalcy all while adhering to several new safety protocols. As the summer progressed, student athletes persevered and faced all challenges with grace as they patiently waited for gyms to open. 

At times, many athletes were thinking there may not be a season at all and our seniors were worried. All hoped daily for good news from MHSAA. Finally, as schools reopened, Manchester Volleyball got the good news from the MHSAA that we could also play volleyball and use our gyms! This is what Senior student-athletes Ellie Grinnell, Kayla Ridenour, Gwen Gebhardt, Serenity Flint and Victoria Woods had to say about their 2020 volleyball season:

“The season means that I get to play volleyball it may not always be games but practices and improving myself and playing for myself and my family. I love volleyball because I can forget everything else that’s going on and focus on the game. Volleyball has always been important to me because I love every aspect of the game.” – Ellie Grinnell

“Having the opportunity to play my senior volleyball season with my team has been something I am so grateful for. I have been blessed to play on varsity for the past four years and it feels right to get closure this last year. I am excited to work with the younger athletes this year and help them to continue the success for our program here at Manchester!” – Kayla Ridenour

“This season of volleyball is very special to me, considering the possibility that we were not going to have a season, and the fact that it is my last year playing for my high school team. This experience taught me not to take anything for granted and to make the most out of everything you do because you never know when it will be taken away from you.” – Gwen Gebhardt

“Being able to play my senior year is all that I could have ever asked for. The possibility of having the season was up in the air, yet here we are now, already a conference game in. I’m especially thankful because me continuing my volleyball career is still not clear. I’m just glad I have had a chance to be on the court doing what I love, for maybe the last time ever.” – Victoria Woods

“After hearing there was a possibility that the season would get cancelled, I was pretty upset. It had felt like I was being robbed of finishing out the one thing I put the majority of my time towards throughout high school. Once it was official that we could get back in the gyms, I was more than excited to get right back into things. Although we don’t know if we’ll be able to finish the season, getting into the gyms and playing the few games we have so far has been super fulfilling and exciting.“  – Serenity Flint

Manchester High School Volleyball 2020 team photo

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.