NORRIS CITY — The NCOE Fighting Cardinals volleyball program has developed a winning tradition, and this year’s team is ready to continue that tradition, even in a non-traditional season.

The topsy turvy high school sports year continues with sports normally played in the fall being played in the spring this year. That means volleyball in March.

“It’s really weird,” said senior Sophie Neal. “I went into this year thinking I wasn’t going to have school volleyball, so it’s nice to no we are going to be able to have it.”

Neal was not alone in her doubt about a school season.

“Felt like it would never happen,” said fellow senior Mattie Wells. “I thought maybe since the boys basketball season got moved before us, that there’d be a lot of cases, and we’d get kicked out. I’m glad it’s finally happening.”

“There was a point in December, January that I didn’t think we were gonna have a season,” said NCOE head coach Jaclyn Melton. “So this opportunity is great.”

Volleyball this time of year is not out of the ordinary–this is normally time for club play. With the change in school dates, the IHSA is allowing players to compete on club and school teams at the same time. NCOE will have several players that will be doing both.

“I’ve got seven or eight of these girls playing (club), they have weekend tournaments and club practices to get ready for,” Melton said. “I’m adjustable. You have to be flexible. That’s the times that we are in, so we’re gonna make the best of it.”

Part of that flexibility can be seen in scheduling. Knowing roughly half her team plays club, Coach Melton only scheduled games on one Saturday this season.

“As long as they’re touching a ball, we’ll be just fine,” Melton added.

One of the down sides to the pandemic shortened season is no postseason. In the 13 years of four classes, the region has won only nine trophies. Two of those belong to NCOE in the past four years.
While they are disappointed not to have an opportunity for a third trip to state in five years, the team believes it still beats the alternative.

“I’d rather be playing than not playing,” Neal said. “You wanna feel like you’re playing for something. You wanna get to that postseason. You want to keep going further, but at least we’re gonna get to play.”

“You want a postseason to see where you’re at the end of the season,” Melton said. “We’re going to get almost 20 games in. I think everyone of these players will take that, especially my seniors, Mattie and Sophie. To play here and for the school one last time, to me, that’s important.”

NCOE will open the season Wednesday night at home against Eldorado.