With fall sports athletes returning to competition this week, it marks an unusual milestone, one that came with nervous anticipation for many.

For some, it’s been up to 10 months since they last competed in a sanctioned Iowa High School event, including Lady Dutch volleyball senior Macy Schulz, who missed out on her junior soccer season this past fall. The return to action meant a lot to her as she kicks off her final year at Pella High School.

“It’s been a long time coming, so just that energy we had before the game — we were so excited,” she says. “We’ve been talking about this since there were 26 days until the game–we had a countdown going, and it’s been hard work but we’ve loved every minute of it.”

Teammate and Junior Setter Anna Vander Waal last suited up in the Regional Basketball playoffs in February prior to Tuesday’s volleyball match against Ballard, and says it was even special to return to summer workouts in anticipation of coming together again for athletics.

“It meant so much just to be able to start working on it even in July, and I think everyone here just loves the sport of volleyball and we’re just so thankful to be able to play,” Vander Waal says. “And now getting to play here at home, you can just feel how everyone is excited and ready to be out here again and have fun.”

Pella is next in action this Saturday at the Bondurant tournament.

Full interview with Pella volleyball players after win over Ballard: