Youth Volleyball League had successful 2020 season

WAUSA — The Wausa Youth Volleyball League finished their season with a tournament the weekend of Oct. 17-18. 

The League was able to complete four weeks of league play before the tournament, which was amazing with COVID 19 looming around every corner. Age groups this year included third-eighth grade. COVID 19 did change the whole layout of the season, with many accommodations needed each week to prevent the spread of the disease.   

Shelbey West worked endlessly to make sure that the players would have a season. When it came to playing the weekly games, she tried to limit the towns that were in the auditorium and gym at the same time. Towns would play each other two games in a row and then have time to leave before the next two towns would come in to play. Sometimes, depending on the number of towns in each age group, she would schedule a triangular between three towns. One big change was having third and fourth grade groups play Saturdays versus playing all groups on Sunday. This did create more work for everyone involved, but the committee felt it was the safest option for everyone. Another obstacle the committee faced was limiting the exposure of the high school athletes, who help with weekly games by being referees and working the concession stand and admissions. 

It was decided to limit the athletes being referees and to only have them work concession stand and admissions. Plexiglass shields were used in both places and masks were required. Every week the schedule had to be held until the last minute and reviewed for changes due to some area towns not being able to play due to COVID 19. In the end, the players were able to have a season and learn valuable fundamental skills.  

After all the planning and preparation throughout the four weeks of play, all age groups were able to have a tournament. 

The third-fourth grade divisions played Oct. 22 at the auditorium. Seven teams played in this tournament. 

The Wausa third grade team ranked second in points going into the tournament. The team was made up of six players. They were coached by Michelle Korth, Hadley Vanness, and Blair and Tiffanie Wakeley. The only loss this team had was to the number one ranked team of Plainview fourth grade. The Wausa third grade played some amazing volleyball that day and brought home third place. 

The first game of the day, the Lady Vikings beat Osmond third-fourth grade and then had to play Crofton third-fourth grade. That game was a test of their ability and endurance. Normally the scoring in the games goes to 21 in the first two set and 15 if a third set is needed. The girls had a thrilling game the first set, winning it 25-23. Unfortunately, the next set went to Crofton with a final score of 19-21. The third set would also go to Crofton with a score of 10-15. 

The girls would end up playing Santee and finally Randolph third-fourth grade to bring home third place. That was more games than the girls had played all year on one day and they performed like champions. 

The Plainview fourth grade team would go on to win the tournament with Crofton third-fourth grade team getting second in the tournament.     

The fifth and sixth grade teams played Sunday at the auditorium. There were seven teams in their division with Wausa’s fourth-fifth grade team ranked sixth and Wausa’s sixth grade team ranked fifth in points going into the tournament. 

The Wausa fourth-fifth grade team was coached by Brooke and Krissy Kumm, while the Wausa sixth grade team was coached by Shelbey West and McKayla Hoppe.

The Wausa fourth-fifth grade had a positive attitude all season and it was shown every week they got to play. The laughs and fun the team had together helped them while they worked on all the fundamentals. They worked on overhand serving, which really helped them throughout the tournament. The fourth-fifth grade team was made up of eight players, which included two girls from fourth grade. The girls lost both their games in the tournament to Santee fifth-sixth grade and then Plainview fifth grade. 

These girls are young and competed well all season. Their coaches were honored to coach them this season and cannot wait to see where the future takes them.  

The Wausa sixth grade team had a good season also, while continuing to learn about the fundamentals. The team had eight players. 

Despite their best efforts during the tournament, the girls lost to Randolph sixth grade and then Santee fifth-sixth grade to finish out their season.  The sixth grade team had great improvements during the season and worked hard all season.

The Osmond fifth-sixth grade team won the tournament beating Plainview sixth grade in the championship game. Randolph sixth grade placed third in the consolation bracket.  

The Wausa seventh-eighth grade team also played Sunday, but they were at the high school gym. There were six teams in their division with Wausa seventh-eighth grade ranked fourth in points going into the tournament. There were 10 players on the Wausa seventh-eighth grade volleyball team and they were coached by Kelsey Johnson and Carrie Dawson. 

The Crofton eighth grade won the tournament with Crofton seventh grade placing second. Plainview seventh-eighth grade earned third place.

“There were many doubts and stressful moments throughout the season, said organizers. “But the committee wanted to give the youth an opportunity for normalcy this fall. The committee felt the youth needed something to look forward to every week along with learning the fundamentals of the game. They want to thank all the parents, players and all the other volunteers who helped to make this season happen. 

“The Wausa High School Football team helped tremendously Sunday of the tournament by working the concession stands and admission tables at both the gym and auditorium. The team also helped move all the food and pop from the concession stand at the auditorium to the gym.

“The Wausa High School/Junior High Volleyball team helped during the four weeks prior to the tournament by also helping with the concession stand and admission table. Their help was greatly appreciated by the committee. Both teams were tired from games/activities and practice along with keeping up on schoolwork, but were willing to help every weekend. There were times that the volleyball team had to work the junior high tournament in town during the morning and turn about and help the youth league in the afternoon. 

“Without the help of all the high school/junior high athletes along with their parents, the youth volleyball league would not be possible. The committee wants to take the opportunity to thank everyone that helped. 

“It truly does take a village!”

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