San Antonio Express-News | ExpressNews.com | Tuesday, August 3, 2021 | C7 SPORTS tocols were dismissed. and are not in response to subject, noting there is ATHLETES That’s going to continue the Delta variant. already enough informa- From page C1 at least for the beginning of “We knew back in May tion available for parents the 2021-22 season. and June, we weren’t out of and students to make those stark contrast to last year “We’ve opened the year this,” Parker said. “This is decisions. when UIL split the starts of with a lot of excitement something we were already “We’re not even saying football, volleyball and that we will have a much talking about because we that word ‘vaccinated,’” cross country seasons with better year,” UIL deputy knew it wasn’t gone. We’ve Parker said. “We’re not smaller schools (4A to 1A) director Jamey Harrison just got to be smart.” hinting at it or talking beginning practices the told the media two weeks Another difference be- about it or suggesting it. In first Monday of August and ago at Texas High School tween last year and this this day and age, everyone larger schools (6A and 5A) Coaches Association Con- year is scheduling. Many has heard, and everybody amonth later. vention in San Antonio. districts trimmed down knows.” The wait was longer for “We do not currently have their non-league schedules Ayear ago, when vacci- San Antonio ISD, which any UIL COVID-related to allow for more open nations were not available, didn’t begin practices until Marvin Pfeiffer /Staff photographer protocols that schools are weeks just in case games athletes considered to be Oct. 5, 2020, because of Highlands players go through warm-up drills during required to follow. Those needed to be postponed close contacts had to be the high rate of coronavi- the first day of volleyball practice for the 2021-22 are all local decisions. for COVID-related reasons. quarantined for 10 days rus cases in its district. UIL season Monday. We’re hoping for what is Last year, teams scrambled and couldn’t return until After a three-week ramp- close to what is a normal to find opponents at the they had a negative CO- up, SAISD volleyball teams ond behind Edison and football practice on time — year.” last minute and games VID-19 test. in District 27-5A played an advanced to the second even if it was in a gym. North East ISD athletic were played with little to Scott Lehnhoff, athletic eight-match regular-season round of the playoffs for 10 “Last year, we were in director Kelly Parker said no preparation. director for Schertz-Cibolo- schedule in 24 days last total matches in 2020. In quarantine, and this year, his department will imple- “We know who our Universal City ISD, said his year. This season, the Owls 2019, the Owls played 46 everybody’s been active, ment some safety proce- competitors are,” Holmes department is not pushing are expected to play a full matches. and we get started a lot dures from last year, in- senior quarterback Chris- for athletes to be vaccinat- slate with tournaments “We were very happy sooner,” Briones said. “It’s cluding having athletes and topher Medelez said. “We ed. scheduled at Northside, after being in lockdown for good. Everyone gets more coaches stay home if they know we are actually going “My advice to (our ath- Boerne, and Laredo. eight months,” Contreras practice time, more reps are experiencing possible to play them, and we don’t letes) is to let them know if “I was very scared (last said. “We had Zoom volley- and it’s better.” coronavirus symptoms, have to prepare ourselves you are fully vaccinated, in year),” Highlands senior ball, but it was by ourselves The UIL opened the bringing their own water for a game that we’re not SCUC, you won’t be count- middle blocker Briana and it was very lonely. It 2020-21 sports season with bottles and not grouping going to play.” ed as a close contact,” Contreras said. “I thought I was exciting to have eight aset of safety protocols athletes in large numbers. Still, school officials are Lehnhoff said. “We’re not was going to miss a big games and exciting to be that includes social dis- “There’s not as much walking a tight line when telling people they have to opportunity of a junior around everyone.” tancing, face masks, lim- anxiety or tension this the subject of a vaccina- go it and we’re surely not year. It was very upsetting. Although the weather ited seating capacity and year,” Parker said. “People tions arises. Students are telling kids they’ve got to There was a 50-50 chance didn’t provide ideal prac- no tournaments for volley- are saying things are back not required be vaccinated do it.” of us playing or not play- tice conditions for Holmes ball and basketball. By the to normal, but honestly, it’s to participate in athletics. ing. I’m glad we have full on Monday, senior defen- time the softball and base- not normal.” Some coaches are encour- [email protected] season this year.” sive/offensive lineman Alex ball playoffs rolled around Parker said these NEISD aging them to do so. Others Twitter: @hinojosa_david Highlands finished sec- Briones was happy to start in May, most of those pro- protocols were planned aren’t bringing up the SCOREBOARD America’s Line 34. Brian Harman 1,033 $3,082,546 derson, South Africa, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Jr. on the 10-day IL. Designated RF Dillon 35. Carlos Ortiz1,025 $2,579,299 Television Ilya Ivashka, Belarus, def. Egor Gerasimov, Be- Thomas for assignment. Home team capitalized 36. Kyoung-Hoon Lee1,023 $2,765,863 BasketballThe Basketball Tournament ESPN 8p.m. larus, 7-5, 6-4. TEXAS RANGERS: Acquired OF D.J. Peters off MLB 37. Matt Jones 1,022 $2,400,685 final waivers from Los Angeles Dodgers and placed 38. Si Woo Kim 1,015 $2,759,238 WTA Concord 125 American League Pro baseball Baltimore at N.Y. Yankees MLB 6p.m. on active roster. Selected the contract of RHP 39. Cameron Tringale986 $2,310,663 Monday at Concord, Mass. Jimmy Herget from Round Rock (Triple-A Favorite Odds Underdog Pro baseball L.A. Angels at TexasBSSW7p.m. 40. Sergio Garcia 985 $2,579,430 Women’s singles West). Optioned RHP Demarcus Evans to YANKEES-$320 (9) Orioles 41. Keegan Bradley 941 $2,347,604 Pro basketballNBA Summer League: NBA6p.m. Memphis vs. Utah Blue Round Rock. Designated OF David Dahl for as- BLUE JAYS -$200 (9)Indians 42. Emiliano Grillo 901 $2,045,761 Qualification 1 signment. RAYS -$170 (8 ⁄2)Mariners 43. Charl Schwartzel 857 $2,131,460 Pro basketballNBA Summer League: ESPN2 7p.m. Mariam Bolkvadze (1), Georgia, def. Sophie TORONTO BLUE JAYS: Traded RHP John Axford Red Sox-$135 (10) TIGERS 44. Russell Henley 854 $2,302,084 L.A. Lakers vs. Miami Chang, United States, 6-2, 6-1. 1 to Milwaukee in exchange for cash consider- RANGERS-$107 (8 ⁄2)Angels 45. Lee Westwood 839 $3,238,905 Pro basketballNBA Summer League: NBA8p.m. Robin Anderson (4), United States, def. Victo- 1 ations. WHITE SOX-$185 (9 ⁄2)Royals 46. Chris Kirk 828 $2,087,603 San Antonio vs. Utah White ria Hu, United States, 6-4, 6-3. National League 47. Paul Casey827 $2,690,859 Pro basketballNBA Summer League: ESPN2 10 p.m. Victoria Duval, United States, def. Samantha National League Favorite Odds Underdog 48. Jhonattan Vegas819 $1,940,423 Golden State vs. Sacramento Murray Sharan (7), Britain, 7-5, 6-4. NEW YORK METS: Claimed RHP Jake Reed off Phillies -$162 (8) NATIONALS 49. Cameron Champ 811 $1,988,278 SoccerMetropolitan at Santa Lucia FS27p.m. En Shuo Liang (8), Taiwan, def. Alexa Glatch, waivers from Tampa Bay then optioned him to Mets -$145 (8) MARLINS 50. Patton Kizzire802 $2,030,711 SoccerMarathon at Diriangen FS29p.m. United States, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. Syracuse (Triple-A East). BREWERS-$210 (9) Pirates PITTSBURGH PIRATES: Claimed LHP Anthony 1 Motor sports Tennis ATP: Citi Open Tennis noon Women’s singles Braves -$125 (8 ⁄2)CARDS Banda off waivers from New York Mets then 1 ROCKIES-$150 (11 ⁄2)Cubs NASCAR Cup Series points leaders Tennis WTA: Silicon Valley Classic Tennis noon Round of 32 optioned him to Indianapolis (Triple-A East). 1 Giants -$155 (9 ⁄2)D’BACKS Through Sunday Note: Olympics listings on Page C4 Lulu Sun, Switzerland, def. Kurumi Nara, Ja- InterLeague 1. Denny Hamlin .........................................874 pan, 6-1, 6-3. Minor League Baseball 2. Kyle Larson .............................................861 Greet Minnen (7), Belgium, def. Leonie Kung, Favorite Odds Underdog Atlantic League REDS-$142 (9) Twins 3. William Byron.........................................749 Switzerland, 6-4, 6-1. A’S -$125 (8) Padres 4. Kyle Busch..............................................740 Cristina Bucsa, Spain, def. Christina McHale ATLANTIC LEAGUE: Approved the application of DODGERS-$152 (8) Astros 5. Joey Logano ...........................................733 Portland 68 1191926 Colorado Springs65321 27 24 (6), United States, 6-4, 6-3. Staten Island Entertainment LLC to organize 6. Chase Elliott............................................711 Houston 34 9181720 Austin 54 5201314 Grace Min, United States, def. Sophia Whittle, and operate a club in Staten Island, beginning 7. Martin Truex Jr........................................696 FC Dallas47517 20 24 Real Monarchs SLC39413 17 27 United States, 7-6 (3), 6-1. in 2022. Madison Brengle (3), United States, def. Mad- LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Reinstated LHP Darin Basketball 8. Ryan Blaney ...........................................689 San Jose 47 5171825 Pacific WL TPts GF GA Downs on the active list.