This Tuesday the varsity volleyball team hosted Chelsea during school hours, which has fast become a norm in Homewood athletics. 

Hundreds of student supporters cheered on the volleyball team at 1:45 Tuesday after an abbreviated bell schedule accommodated the match. Last year, volleyball and the wrestling team both hosted schools during in-school matches, and the boys varsity soccer team traveled to Vestavia for a 2 p.m. game. 

The in-school matches provide a fun atmosphere for the students, some of whom may not be able to attend an event otherwise, and generate excitement for the players. 

The idea for the in-school match was proposed by varsity volleyball coach Andie Freeman and wrestling coach Franky McKeown. The pair went to Dr. Henneke with their idea, who accepted with Henneke’s enthusiasm. 

Assistant athletics director Rick Baguley said their department and Henneke agreed that the in-school match would be a ¨great way to let our students see how hard our athletes work at their sports.”

The student response to the in-school match has been nothing but praise. Tuesday’s volleyball match was the first in-school event to affect the school day, and students obviously enjoyed the shortened schedule, as well as getting to attend the match.

Baguley is a fan of them as well and supports the in-school matches for their uplifting atmosphere brought by both players and students.

“We are thankful it has been such a positive experience for everyone,” he said. 

He added the athletics department will “continue trying to find ways to get our students involved in supporting our athletic teams”.

Although the Patriots fell short of the win on Tuesday, there were positives to take away from a strong performance and a large and energetic fan section.  

Freedman agrees that the in-school matches provide an “electric atmosphere that is hard to recreate.”

She has been training her team since early this summer, putting them through vigorous workouts, ball-handling drills and team-bonding exercises to ensure that they play to their full potential throughout the season.

Students can expect similar events as the future of in-school sports matches is looking bright thanks to the coaches and administration who work to provide a fun and competitive activity for the school.