GRAND HAVEN TWP. — It’s not unusual for a volleyball team to have a player in a different colored jersey – that’s reserved for the libero, a primarily defensive player who has different substitution rules from the rest of the team.

Scores and more from a handful of spring sports, who opened their seasons this week:

The high school volleyball season generally comes to an end in late November, making the handful of schools preparing for a return to play next week a unique quirk of the 2020-21 sports calendar.

The debate seemed to change every hour: Which high school sports would take place this fall? Which sports are safe to play? How can contact sports be played safely?

Grand Haven volleyball had already picked up its fair share of awards in 2020 after another strong season.

While it might take until 2021 to see an end to the state’s high school volleyball season – if we get one – there’s still time to honor standout players.

To call the Michigan high school volleyball season busy would have been an understatement.

The high school volleyball season was one of the handful of fall sports most in doubt heading into the start of the school year.

ROCKFORD — Grand Haven had played the Rockford Rams tight in two matches already in 2020, and were looking forward to a district semifinal rematch.

GRAND HAVEN TWP. — There were nervy moments against a conference rival, but when it mattered, Grand Haven did more than enough to keep their streak alive.

GRAND HAVEN TWP. — Grand Haven volleyball will head into Thursday’s district final against West Ottawa knowing at least one thing – that they’ll have to be prepared to start with plenty of energy.

GRAND HAVEN TWP. — Between injuries and contact-tracing quarantines, it’s been tough to get Grand Haven volleyball’s entire lineup on the court together at the same time.

Scores and more from a successful weekend of prep sports:

Another light day on the local calendar for local teams, as volleyball edges towards the end of their regular season.

The Western Michigan Christian soccer program played a home game in a place that felt more comfortable than usual on Tuesday, opening its new Warrior Field with a 5-1 win over Ravenna.

With varsity football teams on the road this weekend, the only games in town on Thursday night were junior varsity games.

It was a busy Tuesday of local high school sports action, as all four schools had teams in action.

Thursday saw plenty of action across the board ahead of a pair of Homecoming football games.

A busy Tuesday of local prep action featured all four schools.

Results and more from a light Monday of local prep sports:

Plenty of local teams were in action on Thursday, with wins on the soccer field and in the pool for a handful of area programs. Results and more from Thursday’s loaded slate of competition:

GRAND HAVEN TWP. — After matches with three of the state’s top 10 teams last weekend, Grand Haven volleyball felt like it turned a corner and start to improve.

A handful of different sports had local teams in action on Tuesday, with events taking place across the campus of each school.

GRAND HAVEN TWP. — After two close matches to start their conference season, Grand Haven soccer got the win they were looking for on Thursday night in a 3-0 home win against Caledonia. Joey Fischer scored two first-half goals before Emarrean Banks finished things off a couple minutes after h…

GRAND HAVEN TWP. — It was missing the vendors and music, but there was still a Battle on the Boardwalk to be had in 2020. Moved indoors, Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Fruitport and Mona Shores got together for their annual matches.

The weekend was the first of the fall season to feature indoor events in the region, with volleyball matches and swim meets taking place in the area.

Thursday was as normal a night on the high school schedule as we’ve seen in months. Soccer, swimming and volleyball matches were all part of a busy night, along with the fall sports that had a full start to their seasons.

Grand Haven’s cross country season is still young, but it’s about to get a lot busier.

Thursday’s news on the remaining fall sports was definitely positive for players and coaches, but arrived just a little late to change plans for Thursday and Friday’s action.

Following a new executive order from Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday, the MHSAA has reinstated football into the fall sports calendar.

New guidance from the governor’s office on Thursday afternoon opened up indoor gyms and pools in the middle of next week, marking positive news for a handful of fall sports.

A meeting of the MHSAA’s Representative Council Friday yielded little change to current guidelines governing play for boys soccer, volleyball and girls swimming.

The weekend featured a handful of area schools in action, as golf, tennis and cross country are all cleared to compete across the state.