HS VOLLEYBALL: New league format, same contenders; Star power in the league

OK, it looks like, for now, there is going to be a girls volleyball season.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

And let’s get the logistics out of the way. It is with deep regret that ON THE BLOG reports that Gov. Tom Wolf continues to stand by his capacity rules regarding indoor gatherings during this coronavirus pandemic. That means no more than 25 in a gym.

Perplexing? Yes. But, rules are rules and the PIAA instructed District 2 Chairpeople that failing to follow the mandate could result in forfeits. And trust me, in this season, nobody wants forfeits.

 

PIAA VOLLEYBALL 

Volleyball Student-Athletes, Coaches, Officials, and Administrators:
The PIAA understands the unique situation the limited capacity in the Targeted Mitigation Order puts the
Girls’ Volleyball community in. As we try to work through the limitations it is important that the girls’
volleyball athletic community remain flexible. The PIAA continues to advocate to the Governor’s Office on
the limit of 25 and the unintended consequences that the 25 limitation puts on not only Girls’ Volleyball but
also Water Polo, additionally Representative Reese (R-Mt. Pleasant) has authored legislation for changes to
these limitations.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions we have been receiving:

1. Who should be included in the 25?

• 2-Officials, 2-Line Judges (Optional), 1-Scorer, 1-Libero Tracker, 1-Timer = As required by the rule
  book.
  (The Scorer, Libero Tracker, & Timer, doesn’t necessarily have to be 3 different people (Minimum of
  2) but needs to be done effectively.)
  Total of 4 – 7
• 6 student-athletes per team are required on the court at a time.
  Total of 12
• 1 coach per team.
  Total of 2
• Which leaves 4 – 7 (If not using line judges & combining table positions) additional people at the
  schools’ discretion. (Student-athletes, Coaches, Athletic Trainers, Game Manger, etc.)

 

2. Can we eliminate line judges?

• Yes, for the 2020-2021 school year line judges are optional.
  Decisions on line judges should be made by local host school athletic administration.
  Communication with opponent school should be done prior to contest.

3. Can line judges be an eligible player?

• No, line judges may not be an eligible player because a line judge must hold the same positions relative
  to the court throughout the match.

4. Can line judges use hand signals rather than flags?

• Yes, line judges can use hand signals rather than flags.

5. Can a potential substitute be located in another room/area and then enter the gymnasium?

• Yes, substitutes can be in another room/area and report to the substitution zone.
  Substitution procedures will then continue.

6. Can team members located in another area switch places with team members on the bench during
live play?

• Yes. (If the 25 standard remains Officials will need to be flexible on the time it will take for
  substitutions to occur.)

7. Is there a required warm-up procedure?

• No, the only requirement is that a timed warm-up period shall be afforded to each team.

8. If an official has a temperature when doing a self-health assessment at home what happens?

• An official should immediately reach out to the school and assignor to let them know.

Officials Manual:
a) If a Contest official accepts a contract for an assignment and is unable to complete the
assignment, the official, either directly or through the assignor (if any), must locate a
replacement official who is registered in the applicable sport. PIAA does not determine the
method by which such a replacement is selected.
If an official does not timely arrive at the Contest site, is unwilling to officiate, or is unable to
complete a contest, can the match continue with one official?
Yes, however not one official can be assigned, two officials must be assigned to a contest.

Below is the PIAA Policy:
ABSENCE OR WITHDRAWAL OF OFFICIAL AT CONTEST
Where a PIAA-registered official engaged to officiate a Contest does not timely arrive at the Contest
site, is unwilling to officiate, or is unable (for medical or other reasons) to complete a Contest that
is underway, the participating schools and/or Contest manager shall proceed as follows:
1. An effort should be made to find a replacement PIAA-registered official to officiate the Contest.
2. If (1) no PIAA-registered official willing to officiate the Contest can be located within a
reasonable period of time, (2) the Contest was to have multiple officials, and (3) one or more
officials remain available to officiate, the schools, with the consent of the remaining official(s),
may agree to proceed with the Contest. This should only occur if the schools and officials agree
that they can do so without posing an increased risk of injury to the participants. The Contest
may not proceed if any participating school, or the remaining official(s), believes that
proceeding would result in an increased risk of injury. This provision will only apply when the
number of required officials falls below the number listed in the corresponding NFHS rules
book.
3. If no PIAA-registered official is available to officiate the Contest, or the parties cannot agree to
continue under #2 above, the Contest may not proceed. Reasonable efforts should be made to
reschedule the Contest. If the Contest was already underway before the loss of an official, the
rescheduled Contest will resume at the point of suspension, subject to the rules of the contest.

9. Can Volleyball be played outside?

• Historically, the NFHS Volleyball rule book has been written specifically for indoor Volleyball. PIAA
  treats Volleyball as an indoor sport.

10. If a school does not follow COVID-19 guidelines who reports that and to who?

• Host schools and coaches, administrations of both competing schools are responsible for
  adherence to any mandated procedures.

11. Can the official make changes to rules as they see fit, due to facility?

• Officials are not permitted to modify any playing rules other than those mentioned on this
  document and those posted in the Return to Competition Guidelines.
  Modifications to playing rules can only be completed by action of PIAA Board of Directors.
  Concerns regarding potential issues with facilities should be discussed with school
  administration during the time leading up to the contest.

 

---

 

2020 SEASON

The Lackawanna League has a new look this season. With the addition of North Pocono, which moves in from the Wyoming Valley Conference, there are now two divisions in the league.

DIVISION I	DIVISION II
Dunmore	Blue Ridge
Lackawanna Trail	Elk Lake
North Pocono	Montrose
Western Wayne	Mountain View
	Susquehanna

 

NOTE: Abington Heights and Forest City are not competing this season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Blue Ridge, Dunmore get nod

There is quite a rivalry simmering in girls volleyball.
Blue Ridge and Dunmore have waged intense battles over the last four seasons, and they are expected to heat up again when teams return to the court for action in the Lackawanna League in this unusual fall season amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Both teams return key starters and received the role of co-favorites from the coaches. Western Wayne, last year’s champion, must replace a lot of experience and firepower, and newcomer North Pocono, also received consideration.

CLICK HERE TO READ PREVIEW

 

 

Blue Ridge’s Heeman ready to lead

Three years ago, Hunter Heeman walked the halls at Blue Ridge a shy freshman and new student in a new district, hoping to make friends.
After three seasons as a member of the volleyball team, she is going to walk out of that building in New Milford, but her legacy will last forever.
Last season, Heeman elevated her game and earned the honor of being named to the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class 1A all-state team. And with that, she will have her jersey framed and hung on the Wall of Fame.
Now, with that accomplishment out of the way, the senior can focus on leading the Lady Raiders in a quest for a Lackawana League title and a seventh straight District 2 Class 1A championship.

CLICK HERE TO READ FEATURE

 

 

 

2020 LACKAWANNA LEAGUE SCHEDULE

NOTE: This season, because of the late start, the teams will play each other once.

 

9/15/20	9/17/20
Blue Ridge @ Susquehanna	Montrose @ Elk Lake
Dunmore @ North Pocono	Mountain View @ Dunmore
Elk Lake @ Mountain View	North Pocono @ Blue Ridge
Lackawanna Trail @ Montrose	Susquehanna @ Western Wayne
Western Wayne bye	Lackawanna Trail bye
9/22/20	9/24/20
Dunmore @ Western Wayne	Mountain View @ Lackawanna Trail
Elk Lake @ Susquehanna	North Pocono @ Elk Lake
Lackawanna Trail @ North Pocono	Susquehanna @ Dunmore
Montrose @ Mountain View	Western Wayne @ Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge bye	Montrose bye
9/29/20	10/1/20
Elk Lake @ Blue Ridge	North Pocono @ Montrose
Lackawann Trail @ Western Wayne	Susquehanna @ Lackawanna Trail
Montrose @ Susquehanna	Western Wayne @ Elk Lake
Mountain View @ North Pocono	Blue Ridge @ Dunmore
Dunmore bye	Mountain View bye
10/6/20	10/8/20
Lackawanna Trail @ Dunmore	Susquehanna @ Mountain View
Montrose @ Blue Ridge	Western Wayne @ Montrose
Mountain View @ Western Wayne	Blue Ridge @ Lackawanna Trail
North Pocono @ Susquehanna	Dunmore @ Elk Lake
Elk Lake bye	North Pocono bye
10/13/20
Western Wayne @ North Pocono
Blue Ridge @ Mountain View
Dunmore @ Montrose
Elk Lake @ Lackawanna Trail
Susquehanna bye

 

 

2020 WYOMING VALLEY CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

 

---

 

TOP 5 RANKING

Delaware Valley has two of the top players in the region returning and start the season at No. 1. Blue Ridge and Dunmore, the two teams expected to be the best in the Lackawanna League are at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. Western Wayne, last year’s District 2 Class 3A and Lackawanna League champion is No. 4 and North Pocono checks in at No. 5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RANK		TEAM	2019 RECORD	LAST RANK
1		DELAWARE VALLEY LADY WARRIORS	13–2	1
2		BLUE RIDGE LADY RAIDERS	16–5	3
3		DUNMORE LADY BUCKS	12–5	4
4		WESTERN WAYNE LADY ‘CATS	17–2	2
5		NORTH POCONO LADY TROJANS	5–10	NR

 

---

---