Water Polo pushes season back from fall to spring amidst COVID concerns
Braden Osborn | Sports Writer
Mason’s Water Polo team is getting a revamp.
Some serious change to the Water Polo season is underwawy, as the fall sports season began without them. Many adjustments were made to how the sports scene would look, and one of those adjustments was the decision to move the water polo season from fall to spring – nearly a six-month difference.
Going into the year, players are faced with a number of questions and concerns. Senior Kylie Dennison is now heading into her final polo season with many uncertainties. However, she said sees the potential for new opportunities.
“I’ve been playing Water Polo since freshman year, I really hope that there will be tournaments in the spring,” Dennison said. “If we do get (to play in) tournaments, spring is also when Indiana and Michigan’s Water Polo seasons are, and there is a chance that we could play new teams from there as well.”
Mason Water Polo Head Coach Caity. Defosses had a direct impact on the decision to move Water Polo to the spring. She said it gives the team a chance to compete for a whole season.
“The Coaches Association voted about whether to move the season to the spring or keep it in the fall,” Defosses said. “We knew the chances of being able to compete fully in the fall were very slim. Our hopes are that moving [the season] to the spring will allow us to compete closer to normal.”
Dennison feels nervous yet optimistic in regards to the way the season will pan out during the spring, hoping that it will be relatively close to normal despite restrictions. For Dennison, the overall feeling is that the move was for the right call despite the uncertainty.
“I think the decision to postpone the season was smart because now we get a chance at playing a full season as well as playing new teams,” Dennison said. “Also, more people might want to join [the team] with the season being in the spring and not the fall, where they might have other commitments.”
Dennison isn’t alone, as Defosses is feeling the same mixture of nerves and enthusiasm regarding the water polo season.
“I am excited but nervous about this upcoming season,” Defosses said. “With all the uncertainty with everything going on right now it makes it difficult to get your hopes up. I miss seeing my players now but spring is not too far off.”
Water Polo is the first sport to make the big decision to postpone their season until later this school year. Student Activity Director Lori Allen is also hopeful about the choice to move the season and sees the benefits of making this change.
“I think this was a great decision. It was a much better option than canceling the season altogether,” Allen said. “I am hopeful that by spring we might be a little more removed from Covid.”