While COVID-19 has been a major issue worldwide for over a year now, the burden it has placed on sports is hard to put into words. Whether it is athletics in junior high, high school, college or professional sports, COVID-19 has ruined countless games, seasons and careers. No one likes it, or thinks it’s fun, but in order to keep people safe and healthy the precautions that are being taken are helpful, as illustrated in this Photo Gallery spotlighting MBU volleyball during the pandemic.
Tom Young, head men’s volleyball coach at Missouri Baptist University, gets his temperature checked before workouts and practices, as part of the routine protocol so many coaches and athletes are going through each day. Photos by Jason Harman
Gabe Norsegian picks up weights to complete a workout.
Milos Markovic gets a good stretch in before practice.
Gabe Norsegian walks with 50-pound dumbbells to strengthen his shoulders.
Graduate assistant Andrew Johnson gives the team a quick pep talk with a mask on.
Michael Olsen flies in on a back row attack trying to beat the block of Kyle Merzweiler.
Petar Lecic works out his shoulders.
Miljan Kastratovic ties up his shoes before practice while wearing a mask.
Maria Hanusik winds up to serve to the opponent during practice.
This Baden volleyball, the sponsor of the NAIA, is one of many that gets wiped down after each practice and game.
The game of corn hole, set up in The Quad, offers students some outdoor recreation during the pandemic.
Francesco Mechelini goes up for the set during practice.
Nick Washington and Charles Carter rack up weights.
The MBU women’s volleyball team shares the gym with the men’s team and other sports, following the same COVID protocols.
A student-athlete takes a jog around The Quad with a mask on.
Members of the JV men’s volleyball team run sprints during practice.
JV men’s volleyball team members practice.
Drew Berthlett gets a good pump in with some bent-over rows.
Graduate assistant Andrew Johnson offers some insight on what he expects during practice. Social distancing is a must during talks like this.
Graduate assistant Andrew Johnson gives the men instructions for the next drill.
Head athletic trainer Meredith Dill preps some ice for after practice while wearing a mask.
Graduate assistant Me’Ashah Franklin gives Giovanna Tapigliani some tips during practice with a mask on.
The MBU women’s volleyball team plays a full-team scrimmage at practice recently in the Sports and Recreation Complex gymnasium. After temperature checks and COVID-19 tests, athletes are carrying on as close to normal as possible during this unprecedented pandemic.
Jason Harman, from The Hill in St. Louis, is a staff journalist for MBU Timeline and a communications studies major. He played varsity volleyball for the Spartans volleyball team before moving to a coaching position at Ladue High School. After graduation Jason plans to move South and find a job in sales.
Tom Young, head men’s volleyball coach at Missouri Baptist University, gets his temperature checked before workouts and practices, as part of the routine protocol so many coaches and athletes are going through each day. Photos by Jason Harman
The MBU women’s volleyball team plays a full-team scrimmage at practice recently in the Sports and Recreation Complex gymnasium. After temperature checks and COVID-19 tests, athletes are carrying on as close to normal as possible during this unprecedented pandemic.
Kate Goodberlet 
Isabel Rinkenberger 
MBU Timeline