Face masks, new rules and waving at opponents instead of shaking hands are some of the challenges facing volleyball teams across the state this year. With UIL allowing play but adjusting expectations so that players and fans can be safe from COVID-19 spread, the team has had a lot to adjust to since starting practices earlier this month.

The Lady Bison took on these challenges as well as the Lovelady Lions last Friday, fighting through five sets. The girls fell short to the Lady Lions in the fifth set, but the players felt they improved on things.

“Well, like every coach says, losing isn’t fun, but what matters most is that the girls had fun and improved together as a team,” head coach Daryl Skelton said. “I was biting my nails throughout the whole game because they are entertaining to watch, but also nerve-wracking.”

The Lady Bison JV team also fell short Friday night. As with the varsity, mistakes were made and lessons were learned.

“The team itself had really bad communication, bad passes, and we also had rotation problems the whole game,” sophomore Avery Best said. “But I individually had bad serves and my passing wasn’t too hot.”

The freshman team brought home the only victory of the evening for the Lady Bison. Playing three sets and making the winning comeback, the girls came off the court with the dub.

“We lost the first one because we weren’t awake which is bad to say, but we weren’t there mentally,” freshman Cylen Brown said. “We definitely would have finished in two sets but we just weren’t there. We picked it up, though.”

The Lady Bison will take on the Blooming Grove Lady Lions on Tuesday and the Trinity Tigers on Friday.

“This week we want to improve on our communication and poise,” senior Josie Henson said. “We want to have fun but also work hard and come out with two wins next week.”