On Oct. 9, 2023, the Oregon School Activities Association added volleyball as an emerging activity. This means that it is not an official sport yet; however, if enough students in enough schools have interest in the activity then it can become an official sport. According to the Oregon School Activities Association, At Least 50 schools would have to have volleyball teams for it to become an actual sport.

Roseburg High School Varsity volleyball player, Dakota Coffman, shares her feelings about the possibility of a men’s volleyball team in Roseburg High School.

“It wouldn’t affect our season in any way but might affect our successes with comparisons to the male athletes and take away from the years of hard work and learning we had to experience to have a ¨standard¨ for women’s sports.”

She is excited for sure, but she has plenty of mixed feelings about it as well.

“Sure it’s exciting that something new might come to our school, but what would that mean for our season? Would it be ¨boring¨ to watch because of the performance from the men’s season compared to ours?”

In contrast to the potential problems that may arise from boy’s volleyball, a new sport is still always intriguing, and students may find a new sport they’re into watching or playing.  

“I am looking forward to this change,” Junior Gabriel Smith commented. “I think this would be the beginning of a new change in sports breaking gender norms and maybe including more equal opportunities for both genders.”  

With volleyball as an emerging sport; will schools chip in and actually form teams?