Dual County League Pushes Volleyball, Swimming To Late Winter

WALTHAM, MA — Volleyball players, and some swimmers and divers, in the Dual County League are likely to be out of action until at least February after DCL athletic directors said they submitted a plan to league principals and school committees delaying both fall sports amid the coronavirus health crisis.

As leagues throughout the state scramble to figure how, or if, they will field fall sports amid Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association restrictions and extensive rules modifications, the DCL ADs announced that girls volleyball and girls swimming and diving will be delayed to the fall "wedge" season set to begin on Feb. 22 and run through April.

The Dual County League includes Acton-Boxboro, Bedford, Boston Latin, Cambridge, Concord-Carlisle, Lincoln-Sudbury, Newton South, Waltham, Wayland, Weston and Westford.

All schools compete in girls volleyball in the fall, while Acton-Boxboro has a fall girls swimming and diving season.

The MIAA said on Aug. 18 that football and competitive cheer — which are both considered "higher risk" sports — are mandated to be shifted to the "wedge" season statwide.

The DCL ADs also said their plan includes limiting the amount of contests held this week for sports that will be contested this fall — soccer, field hockey, golf and cross country — and limiting opponents.

The MIAA released its rules modifications for the fall sports that are allowed on Friday. Those significant modifications — aimed at limiting physical contact and enforcing social distancing even during competitions — include no headers, throw-ins or goal kicks beyond midfield in soccer, 7-v-7 play and no penalty corners in field hockey, no plays at the net in volleyball and staggered starts and distanced finishes in cross country.

Soccer and volleyball players are required to wear masks when within 10 feet of other players during competitions.

The Hockomock League also announced that it was pushing volleyball out of the fall because it is played indoors where the potential spread of coronavirus is considered more risky. The Northeastern Conference announced this week it is delaying all fall sports to the "wedge" season because some schools in the league are designated "red" hot spot communities and are starting school with a fully remote model.

The Bay State Conference ADs are planning to meet next week to determine which sports, if any, will play this fall.

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