Salma Griffioen is a journalism student at Gilbert Christian High School assigned to cover high school sports for AZPreps365.com

Freshman Karmen Griffioen is a JV player for Gilbert Christian’s girl’s soccer team. She explained some of the difficulties the team has faced this season.

 

Griffioen said, “Originally all our games were pushed back and we were not sure if we would even have a season.” 

 

Griffioen then shared, “We are having a season but we have to wear masks while we practice and at games.” At first, everyone was upset about wearing masks as it made it harder to breathe which affects how well they play. However, taking all of that into account versus not having a season at all, everyone was grateful that wearing masks, no matter how much harder this is, meant they could actually have a season with games, which is better than nothing at all. 

 

This season is also different, as the girls can not have any spectators at their games with the exception of their parents. While the players miss the students, they try to find motivation from within the team to continue to do well out on the field.

 

Overall, Griffioen feels her coaches have done a fantastic job leading the team through all the extra protocols required because of the coronavirus. She also feels that everyone on the team has worked hard and given it their best efforts. Because of this, the team expects that whether they win or lose, they will be able to play every game to the best of their abilities.