When Alex Bybee took the job as head coach of Sedona Red Rock High School’s volleyball team, she knew that she’d be taking over a roster with talent. As she’s gotten to know the team throughout the summer practice season, Bybee hasn’t been disappointed.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Scorpions can have no more than 10 players in the gym for any given practice.

Bybee estimated that most practices have had six to eight girls in attendance. Those numbers don’t allow for the team to practice and simulate how various 6 on 6 scenarios might play out. But despite the limited numbers, Bybee has been impressed by the work ethic of those that have been there.

“I’ve consistently had the same kids; they come and they work really hard,” Byebee said. “I feel really good about it. We’ve made a lot of progress with our defensive stuff. We’re now making the transition from just focusing on defense — which is where I felt we really needed to prepare the most — to kind of a more well-rounded offense and defense structure.”

While the numbers are less than ideal for the SRRHS team, that’s a handicap that every potential area opponent is dealing with. Other handicap scenarios are a little more unique to the Sedona team.

One is a new coach. Not only is Bybee in her first year with Sedona but for the players in their third year in the program, she’s the third coach in three years. Additionally, while the Scorpions return a number of starters from last year, they are also trying to replace six seniors.

“It’s different without the six seniors. A bunch of new people are coming and we’re getting to know our new coach,” returning junior Yaritza Landa said. “So we have a different experience with different coaches and how each coach has different drills. We’ve had different coaches every year so we’re getting to know her way of coaching. But pretty much, it’s been good.”

Emma Beattie, another returning junior, agreed.

“It’s different not having all of our six seniors from last year here with us and having new girls come each practice,” Beattie said. “But it’s been really fun seeing all of our friends here, doing different drills and working together.

“We’re adjusting to her pretty well. It’s always hard to adjust to a new coach and see what their coaching style is like — because we’ve had so many different coaches in the past. We’re learning new things, relearning new things. But it’s good. We’re really communicating well with her, too.”

COVID poses challenges beyond the number restrictions, as well. The Scorpions have to put their masks on as soon as they enter the gym, then have their temperatures taken and logged. As junior Karla Gonzalez said, that does take away from practice time. Overall, though, it’s something she’s happy to do.

“We still get to practice and we don’t have to wear facemasks then, which is really nice,” Gonzalez said. “I mean, there’s distance between us with the chairs when we go drink water. But it hasn’t been too much of a big deal. It’s really nice to get away from being quarantined and getting to see our friends. And getting to know our coach has been nice. It’s something different. New season, new coach.”

More potential hurdles await the Scorpions. Presently, the Arizona Athletic Association estimates that volleyball will be able to start on or around the week of Labor Day. But of course, that date remains fluid.

Additionally, even if the Labor Day start is met, some schools and districts have already opted against not having fall sports this year. That creates some potential hurdles in the scheduling of opponents.

“Coach said that we might have to face bigger schools because of COVID,” Landa said. “So we don’t have to go to Phoenix and have a higher chance of us getting it.”

Bybee is ready to adapt to whatever circumstances she and the team are forced to face. She hopes to have the tryouts on Monday, Aug. 17, move along to different phases of practice and eventually go forward with the season — even if things look a little different.

“I know all of these schools have dropped,” she said. “I really feel very strongly that even if it’s in a gym with no fans and just six kids over here, six kids over there and two coaches, that these kids have got to get back to competition in some way. I really don’t know. At this point I’m open to whatever will keep us here and get us seeing some kind of competition.”