Olivia Williams

Olivia Williams, junior and varsity volleyball player, said she is hoping to attend Pepperdine University to play Division I volleyball. She said college recruiting is most important at her age, so colleges not being able to get her game footage will impact her chance of getting into colleges. 

“For volleyball specifically it’s only considered a contact sport because we are all touching the same ball,” Williams said. “I think that it could be turned into a non-contact sport. I think that it could be played because if every single player sanitizes their hands, you wash the ball, [you keep] everyone on their sides. I think that if they worked harder to make guidelines that are safe for players that they could make it safe.”

Although Williams believes that volleyball can be played safely, she said she acknowledges the risk it puts on not only athletes, but also their families. However, Williams said that the risk is worth it, especially because taking away games affects the mental health of student athletes. 

“The mental health of student-athletes is very important,” Williams said. “Student-athletes who have been playing sports their whole life, no matter what team, what sport, need physical activity like this, and they need adrenaline. I think you are taking away the mental health of a lot of students to prevent them from getting Corona.”

Williams attended the peaceful protest on the street near Page’s house. While she was there, Williams said she had the opportunity to interview Frank Cusumano, KSDK reporter and anchor.  

“[Cusumano] thinks this will very much change [Page’s] perspective of [the decision],” Williams said. “We were talking about how it was a really political decision, and I think that if it doesn’t get changed from the protests, that people are gonna be taking it to court.”