One alternate fall season for Triton athletics is already nearing its end: girls’ volleyball. The girls will make their return to the WIAA postseason as a 2-seed in their section, behind #1 Pulaski. The seeding was done prior to the Tritons’ sweep of the Red Raiders on Tuesday.

As with many fall sports, girls’ volleyball also made the move to the spring, which made for an interesting season, especially for the seniors on the squad. Masks have been required for all indoor high school sports in the state of Wisconsin, and only home teams have been allowed to have fans for regular season play.

Before the season even started, the varsity team was quarantined, only allowing for two practices as a team before their first game.

“That made it really hard to get into the swing of things right away,” senior Bryn Danen said. “Overall, we have done a good job adjusting, and I’m grateful we got to play in the spring.”

On top of a shortened season, the other tough adjustment was little to no fans.

“Our team is used to fueling our energy off of the crowd,” senior Brooklyn O’Nell said. “It’s also sad being a senior and not being able to have your family and friends at away games watching you play your last high school volleyball matches.”

“Gamedays feel so different and almost less exciting without the support from a loud crowd,” senior Ammerae Peebles said.

However, as with the winter sports season, once playoffs return, the gyms begin to open up. The Tritons will take on rival Bay Port, whom they swept in the regular season match, 3-0.

The key to moving on in the playoffs? Danen, O’Nell and Peebles all agreed that it’s consistency. 

“We can’t be overly confident,” Danen said. “We still have to play our game and be consistent.”

“Our goal is to limit our errors and play clean volleyball on our side of the net,” O’Nell added.

Once the season is over, none of the six seniors will pursue college volleyball opportunities.  As for Danen, she will attend the University of Wisconsin to study biology and hopes to continue playing volleyball for fun. Peebles and O’Nell will attend and room together at the University of Tampa. Both hope to continue playing intramurals as well.

The Tritons will finish their regular season Thursday night at Sheboygan South, before their playoff journey begins on Saturday.