A change in mentality. That’s the attitude the Tempe Marcos de Niza varsity girls volleyball team and coach Melissa Yee take into this season.

The young varsity squad has four seniors, including co-captains Hailey White (middle blocker) and Olivia Craig (setter). Both have been on varsity since they were freshmen.

With such a strange season beginning, Yee, in her fourth year, wants her seniors to lead the way. “I have a good core group of seniors,” Yee said. “They have to be my emotional leaders; I’m looking for them to hold the reins.” 

Last year as a junior, White had 173 kills and 14 solo blocks in 44 sets. Additionally, Craig totaled 321 assists. The setter also had 71 aces in 52 sets.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the team has new struggles to face. The Tempe District requires athletic teams to wear masks during practice and competition, so Marcos de Niza had to get used to the new norm. In addition to masks, the team also receives daily temperature checks and screen tests to keep everyone safe. 

The team also faces the strangeness of a limited fan base for games. There will not be a student section, but each student athlete is allowed two guests at each game, and the visiting team also gets two guests per player. Lenica Ruiz, the second-year athletic director and long-time member of Marcos de Niza athletics and teaching, expressed that safety comes first. 

“They were 100 percent committed to making sure that they were following the protocols, so that when it was our time to compete, they were prepared to do so," Ruiz said. 

When spectators arrive at games, they are required to wear masks at all times, and there are sanitizing stations available. “It looks completely different,” Ruiz said. “It’s not your typical come into a game, sit with a group of people and cheer on the team.” 

The new guidelines and procedures might have an effect on the student-athletes’ mentality, but Yee reevaluated how to approach the season and navigate the conference schedule. Marcos de Niza is 1-2 as it heads into its second week. The Padres face conference newcomer American Leadership Academy on Tuesday at home. They are looking to be that “surprise team” in the conference. 

“The girls are coming from a different place,'' Yee said. "Don’t let this be a burden. Volleyball should be the outlet. I want them to work hard and have fun doing it. This is your year; you have to make the most of it.”