After 236 days with out highschool sports activities due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions, athletics formally returned Wednesday as space volleyball and cross nation groups held their first official practices of 2020.
Whereas Western North Carolina volleyball groups have been of their respective gyms for his or her first practices, cross nation groups have been outdoors working on what turned out to be a light, fall afternoon.
Groups have been allowed to carry exercises for the previous a number of weeks, however Wednesday was totally different.
![Deja Jackson hits the ball on the first day of practice for the West Henderson Volleyball team on Wednesday. [PAT SHRADER/ SPECIAL TO THE TIMES-NEWS]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2020/11/05/PASH/c6b568e6-b4c6-48c4-ac49-00278926c00c-BlueRidgeExpressionsPhotography-BRE_5773.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
“It was good to be again within the health club and really figuring out we’re lastly in a season,” West Henderson Excessive volleyball coach Tiffany Lowrance stated. “The women got here able to play and we can be placing within the work for the subsequent few practices to prepare for our first recreation on the Nov. 17.”
One of many Falcons’ prime rivals, A.C. Reynolds, returned with a well-known face on the sidelines.
Lori Ledford stepped down as Rockets coach after the 2015 season when she was identified with breast most cancers. After profitable surgical procedure and therapy, she hoped to teach once more. The door opened in April of this 12 months when Jessica “Nikki” Roland resigned as coach to pursue a grasp’s diploma.
“I’m excited to be again after 5 years of being gone,” Ledford stated. “Wednesday was nice for the primary observe for the women, and the whole lot was constructive. We’re able to get the season began.”
First volleyball video games and cross nation meets are set for the week starting Nov. 16.
West Henderson is hoping for a return journey to the 3-A state championship. The Falcons have been the one WNC faculty to make it to the state finals a 12 months in the past and ended up falling in 4 video games to Chapel Hill.
The highway to the 3-A finals was a difficult one for West Henderson because it battled rivals within the always-competitive Western Mountain Athletic Convention. West Henderson, T.C. Roberson and A.C. Reynolds, the highest three groups, mixed for 73 wins.
At North Henderson, the gamers and the coaches have been pleased to be again within the health club and really enjoying the sport as an alternative of simply doing exercises.
“It was an incredible day to be a Girl Knight,” North coach Sue Moon stated. “The workforce used the phrase ‘thrilling’ to explain their feelings at lastly attending to observe the sport they love. Our gamers have been intense and motivated as we went by way of drills. However once we went 6-on-6, the power went by way of the roof.”
Moon stated issues really began feeling like regular for the primary time in a very long time.
“There have been plenty of hustle performs, discuss on the courtroom and drive to be the most effective on the courtroom,” she stated. “Our teaching workers cherished being within the health club additionally. It was one step nearer to the ‘regular’ highschool expertise we wish for our student-athletes. We will’t wait to get within the health club right now.”
