The 3rd Athletic Season

Q: What were your thoughts when indoor fall sports were shut down in August?

Jeanie Tagliareni, Hackettstown Lady Tigers Volleyball Coach: “I'm not gonna lie, I was upset. I can remember exactly where I was when I got the call that our season had been postponed. However, I was optimistic that we would be able to be back on the court together to play the sport that we all love. It was hard seeing all the other fall sports beginning preseason but we weren't. I wasn't sure what to do with all the free time I now had as it was the first time in 11 years that I wasn't coaching each day.”

Stephanie Snyder, Lady Tigers Volleyball Senior: “Honestly I was expecting it to happen. I am just glad that they didn’t cancel it altogether and made it possible to have our season just at a later time. Having it be my senior year I was disappointed but hopeful that restrictions would lessen by the time season 3 came.”

Volleyball Athlete: “I was frustrated, but it was best for the situation with corona.”

Q: What were your thoughts when indoor fall sports were given the green light to practice again, but in the spring?

Jeannie Tagliareni: “I was ecstatic and thankful! I was so excited by the thought of getting our team back on the court. It didn't matter what time of year it was. My only concern came when we first learned that our season would overlap both Winter seasons (Season 2 & Season 2A) and Spring season (Season 4) as well. At that time, the NJSIAA was not allowing athletes to play two sports at the same time. I didn't want our players to have to choose between sports.”

“Thankfully, the NJSIAA changed their minds close to the start of Season 3 allowing athletes to compete in all the sports that they love. We had actually made our match schedule around the Swim team schedule so no one would have to choose between sports. It has worked out so far.”

Stephanie Snyder: “I was really excited and couldn’t wait to be with the team again. The volleyball team is truly a family and we all stayed in touch the best we could during the off-season.”

Volleyball Athlete: “I was worried that it would get shut down again and that I wouldn’t be able to play a spring sport.”

Q: How have athletes been preparing for their season, which has started eight months later than expected?

Jeannie Tagliareni: “We had a few players train at their clubs. Some players played sports that were in season. Other players worked out or ran to keep in shape. We also stressed the need to stay safe so we could have a season.”

Frank Rodgers, Hackettstown Tigers Wrestling Coach: “Ours started 3 months later and I must say it is strange wrestling in the spring, but I am glad and thankful that our Board of Ed. allowed our athletes to participate in sports this year.”

Volleyball Athlete: “We have been practicing hard and getting back into the swing of things after over a year of no playing.”

Volleyball Athlete: “Club seasons are still in play, and we use other sports to get us in shape!”

Q: What are some changes your team has had to make because of the Coronavirus?

Jeannie Tagliareni: “We've had many changes due to Covid-19. Of course, our players are wearing masks, maintaining 6 feet apart, and washing their hands often. I think we're going to run out of hand sanitizer very soon. The biggest change that our players feel the most is not being able to have all of our traditional team-building activities. We always enjoy our time together. We are also not allowed to use our team room which is like our home. Our season and schedule were shortened. We are not allowed to travel out of our area. Pre-match and post-match shaking of hands is restricted. Our bench has been spread out to ensure proper social distance. Tournaments and tri-matches are not allowed as well. I'm pretty sure I may have missed a couple more things.”

Frank Rodgers: “Practices are split up into 2 different areas where half the team practices in the wrestling room and half practices in the cafeteria. Our matches are wrestled on 2 mats alternating bouts as we go through the weight classes. While the one mat is not being used it is being sanitized before the next bout. The board of ed bought an ultraviolet sanitizer so we could clean the mat and not have to wait for it to dry. It’s strange not shaking hands and you really cannot interact with the other team like we would under normal circumstances.”

Stephanie Snyder: “We of course have to wear masks and have taken that very seriously to the point that we wear our masks basically the entire time. Due to social distancing, we are no longer to have our team bonding or team dinners so that was sad since we always had so much fun."

Q: What is the mentality your team is entering this third season with, despite all the disadvantages (if you felt there were any)?

Jeannie Tagliareni: “Our team is very appreciative of the opportunity to have a season. They're ready to make the most of every minute they will have together while competing the way Lady Tiger Volleyball is known to complete.”

Frank Rodgers: “Like I said before the wrestlers are thankful for the opportunity to even have a season. The team is 3-0 right now so we are enjoying it and looking forward to a conference championship and getting a couple of state qualifiers.”

Sydney Jasinski, Lady Tigers Volleyball Junior: “I feel that my team has a very positive motivated mindset to make this a good season the best way we can even though there is always a chance that a game might get canceled the day of or someone on our team might test positive.”

Stephanie Snyder: “The volleyball team is taking advantage of every moment we have together. We play our hardest every game like it’s our last. We are all just excited to be together again and playing volleyball.”

Q: What are your thoughts on the overlap between the 3rd season (wrestling, volleyball) and regular spring sports (lacrosse, track, baseball, softball, etc.)?

Sydney Jasinski: “I’m upset with the fact that the sports are overlapping because I’m not able to play softball this year with the 3-week overlap of volleyball and softball because it would be hard to juggle 2 sports, homework, and work, but I’m happy that people have the opportunity to play the two sports they want with the overlap so they don’t have to choose one over the other.”

Volleyball Athlete: “I think it’s going to be difficult to manage doing 2 high school sports at once but it’s better than not having a season at all.”

Stephanie Snyder: “Having an overlap of sports definitely just shows how crazy this year has been. When I first found out there was an overlap of sports I was scared that I would have to choose either volleyball or softball. Thankfully I don’t and will be able to play both. It’s going to be interesting to see how practices and games overlap but I am excited!”