Savannah Collings, #18, hits ball past double block against Wickenburg (Alma Pineda, ASU Student Journalist)

High school sports are very different now with COVID-19 in the air. Players are required to wear masks when standing on the sideline or sitting on the bench. It has been hard to get accustomed to the new norm but the volleyball teams at Cicero Prep are willing to do whatever it takes if it means they get to play.

The junior varsity team already has played two games against the Anthem Prep Eagles and the Wickenburg Wranglers. Cicero Prep won both putting its overall record at 2-0 and its conference record at 1-0. The JV team has 13 games left, all conference games.

The varsity squad also has played two games, against Anthem Prep and Wickenburg. Cicero Prep lost both putting its overall record at 0-2 and its conference record at 0-1. The varsity team has 15 games left, including 11 conference games.

This is Cicero Prep’s first season at the 1A division since it had previously been in the 2A division. “I am not dropping us down because of skill, I am just putting us where we need to be according to size,” athletic director Billy Hunt said.

The teams have had three coaches in three years. Both Hunt and the players are counting on the new coaches to provide stability to make the program stronger.

Cindy Kirk is the new coach. Her son also was brought along to coach the junior varsity. Kirk had coached for 35 years before joining Cicero Prep.

“I can tell morale is way up high,” Hunt said. “There is a new excitement to the program.”

With COVID-19, Cicero Prep's season was pushed back a couple weeks and the school was not sure if players wanted to return. This, however, did not stop the players from being excited and having hope for their season.

“I decided to play because volleyball means so much to me and with the proper precautions there is little risk involved, COVID isn’t going to take the things away that I love just so I can live in fear,” sophomore Savannah Collings said.