Double duty for volleyball players

It is a practice that has become common place during the regular season in New Mexico high school volleyball, but to some observers, it still seems a bit odd. Maybe even unique in prep athletics.

The line judges, whose duties include ruling whether or not the ball is in or out, are members of one of the teams playing, usually the home team.

That can be a lot of responsibility and pressure for teenagers. Yet, whether you are a regular volleyball fan or a “drop-by-once-a-season” supporter, most nights you hardly notice the two young people holding flags and standing on a corner of the court diagonally from each other.

While the history of this practice is unclear, repeated efforts made to the New Mexico Activities Association to learn more went unanswered, it seems to be working rather well.

Belen volleyball coach Victoria Spragg, a former University of New Mexico player, says it is not a big deal.

“I feel I have way too much going on game day to worry about who’s going to be on lines,” Spragg said. “I just need two people.”

At BHS, everyone is in the rotation for C, junior varsity or varsity games, but Spragg does have a philosophy.

“I’m not going to put a C-team girl doing our varsity game,” the coach said. “It’s just too much for them.”

That means JV girls are line judges for varsity, C-team players work the JV game and varsity members help officiate the C-team contest.

How about the pressure?

“It’s obviously nerve-racking because there are a lot of people here. Everyone’s watching you,” said Los Lunas junior Madilynn Chavez, who called the lines in front of a big crowd during the Tigers’ home match against Cleveland.

“Pretty intense” is how Valencia junior varsity player Nevaeh Sers describes it.

“Sometimes your team sees it as ‘out’ but you see it as ‘in,’ so you feel pressure.” However, ultimately, “You want to be honest and make the right call. The fans are going to say whatever they want to say. You’re just calling whatever you see, out or in.”

Chavez says a line judge must, “100 percent, stand your ground,” even though teammates “might be a little salty about it.” Fans can be salty, too.

“You make the wrong call, everyone is kind of booing you.” You have been booed?  “Definitely. I’ve been doing this for six years, so yeah.”

The line judges may be on something of an island, but two adult officials are there as final arbiters, overruling when necessary and giving advice.

“Every ref will tell you, be confident in your call,” Chavez shares. “Pretend like you know what you’re doing.”

At VHS, Sers believes the officiating experience can help improve her playing skills.

“You’re able to see the court and how others play, too,” Sers said. “It gives you an advantage, kind of, ‘Oh, this person is shifting, this person is going short.’ You get to see it from a different angle.”

Spragg would like players to take a mandatory online rules class at the high school level before being allowed to line judge, something already done in club ball.

“It kind of reminds you of the different calls and the different plays,” she said. “It just gives you a refresher.”

Spragg tries to take it in stride if a call is missed.

“If it comes down to one call, by one teenage student, then we probably need to step up our game a little bit.”

Does any other team sport have a comparable situation? Can you image a Belen Eagle softball player umpiring the bases, a Valencia Jaguar working as the official scorer in basketball, or a Los Lunas Tiger making offside calls in soccer?

So next time you are at a volleyball match, don’t just admire the skills of players but also the courage of line judges.