COVID-19: Blackman, Stewarts Creek volleyball teams in jeopardy of missing District 7-AAA Tournament

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

The varsity volleyball teams from Blackman and Stewarts Creek could be in jeopardy of missing the District 7-AAA tournament after several players on both teams were placed in quarantine Wednesday because of COVID-19.

Rutherford County Schools spokesman James Evans confirmed that "There were several players on the SC volleyball team that had to be quarantined because of contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19."

He also confirmed that Blackman "too have several volleyball players quarantined because of a contact with a positive case."

Both teams' quarantines would be in effect until Oct. 7. The District 7-AAA Tournament is scheduled for Oct. 5-6.

That leaves parents of both teams, especially those of senior players, scrambling to see if anything can be done to alter the district tournament date to allow the Lady Blaze and Lady Red Hawks to participate.

Otherwise the seasons for both teams would be over, assuming the quarantines don't end until Oct. 7.

"Obviously these decisions are made by people who see the bigger picture, but I hope they would consider sliding the schedule a few days, if it means all Rutherford County teams could play in the district tournament," said Nicole King, mother of Blackman star and Tennessee commitment Ashllyn King. 

The week of the district tournament is also fall break week for Rutherford County Schools.

The six-team District 7-AAA is made up of all Rutherford County teams - Siegel, Blackman, Stewarts Creek, Rocvkale, Riverdale and Oakland.

The tournament is scheduled to be played at Stewarts Creek.

Currently Siegel is unbeaten (11-0) in district play. Blackman, which reached the Class AAA sectional last season, is in second and Stewarts Creek third.

Siegel athletic director Greg Wyant said the school was looking into the tournament situation. Under TSSAA rules during the pandemic, teams that can't play because of COVID issues receive losses, which both teams would endure for the remainder of the regular season.

Tournament matches are treated the same way. If a team cannot play a tournament game because of COVID, its opponent would get the win and advance.

By TSSAA rule, district volleyball tournaments must be completed by Oct. 9. The top two teams in the district tournament advance to the Region 4-AAA tourney, which would be played the following week.

Quarantines and cancellations have affected teams across the state in all sports this fall. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of state basketball tournaments and all spring sports statewide after just one week this past March.

But having COVID cut their season short while others are moving on would be a tougher pill to swallow for some parents.

"In the grand scheme of things, playing in the tournament is not as important as the other issues we are dealing with as a country," said Veda White, mother of Stewarts Creek star Storm White. "However, for these young ladies, it is extremely important for them to be able to play out their senior year."

Added Nicole King, "While we are so very thankful to have gotten to play as many matches as we have, if this season is cut short it would be very disappointing. All of these seniors across the district have battled together for the last four years, some even longer. It would be a shame to not get to see how far we could go."

This story will be updated as new info develops on the Blackman and Stewart Creek volleyball teams or the District 7-AAA Tournament.