Missouri volleyball team, originally disqualified for playing in charity event, wins appeal
A Missouri high school volleyball team successfully challenged a ban on further postseason play because three of its players competed in a charity event for breast cancer research.
After competing in the Salem Memorial Hospital Mammography Volley for a Cure tournament, the Houston High School volleyball players learned they had unknowingly violated Missouri State High School Activities Association policy.
The MSHSAA said the team had been ineligible when it played in a district championship earlier in the week, and would need to forfeit its victory and title, the team’s first since 2006. Forfeiture also disqualified the Tigers from advancing to sectionals in the Class 2 State Volleyball Tournament.
According to the MSHSAA handbook, student athletes can’t practice or compete on non-school teams or participate in non-school competitions for their same sport during their season. Participation in non-school sport events must be approved in advance by an administrator.
Superintendent Justin Copley said the district was under a time crunch to appeal the decision so that the team could continue its postseason games. Part of the district’s case, he said, focused on the fact the girls competed in a charity event to raise money for breast cancer awareness and research.
“When there’s a situation at hand, you take all the details that you have at that moment and try to make the best decision that you can,” Copley said. “We did what we thought was best at the time.”
State Senator Karla Eslinger said she and state Rep. Bennie Cook would push for answers from MSHSAA on what she called a “ridiculous decision.”
“It is unfortunate,” Eslinger wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “that the players, teams and community are being punished for the admirable action of raising funds for a local hospital.”
As soon as they learned the temporary injunction was granted by the court, Copley said officials sent it to MSHSAA and later told the team they could play in the tournament that day. The district is also seeking a permanent injunction in the matter and is waiting to learn if the forfeiture of the district championship title will stand.
Hours after the judge’s ruling, Houston lost the sectional match. While the loss was an unfortunate end to the season, Copley said the district was happy they had the opportunity to compete.
“The last 48 hours have been such a roller coaster,” volleyball coach Julia Sloan wrote in a statement on the district’s X account. “I am thankful for our staff, administration, school board and local community members that have poured so much into our program.
“We as a team are thankful,” she continued. “I am proud of my kids for the season and all the hard work they have put in.”
It was a difficult situation, Copley said, for both Houston team members and neighboring Licking High School, whose volleyball team was notified they would play in sectionals when Houston was originally disqualified. Licking had to prepare quickly for the game, but later learned they wouldn’t play, he said.
“I don’t love that for any kids. I don’t love that for kids, period,” Copley said. “But again, our actions were really geared towards MSHSAA, not toward any district. It wasn’t about us versus other districts. This was about Houston really just generally dissatisfied and disappointed in the ruling of the forfeiture.”
This story was originally published October 27, 2023 at 2:06 PM.
