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Seniors Ruby Hoeschen and Lizzie Krystal and sophomore Riley Erben prepare for a serve from Minnehaha.

The volleyball team played Minnehaha Academy on Wednesday in an empty gym. MSHSL guidelines for volleyball state that no spectators are allowed at games to limit the spread of COVID-19. While the usual cheering from fans wasn’t there, the coaches and players on the bench made sure to fill the gym with words of encouragement and applause.

“At away games there have been parent spectators of that school’s players allowed which makes the games feel a little more normal,” senior Ellie Rosso said. “SPA has decided that no spectators will be allowed in the gym which is definitely a weird dynamic to get used to. The games are live-streamed for parents to watch, but it is really unfortunate, especially for the seniors, that we can’t have family and friends there.”

Other precaution guidelines from MSHSL include mask regulations. This year, face masks are optional for players on the court but required for coaches and players on the bench. At Wednesday’s game, most of SPA’s players opted to wear masks, Minnehaha’s did not.

“So far we have had more players wear them than not, but there hasn’t been a team discussion around it. Personally, I am choosing to wear one to err on the side of safety and caution in the pandemic, but I do no know others reasoning behind their choice to wear or not to wear a mask,” Rosso said.

SPA lost to Minnehaha 3-0. Their next game is tonight versus Nova Classical Academy at SPA.