The Index Vol. 112 Issue 6

Women’s basketball dominates UMSL

SAB hosts comedian on campus,

page 7

Top 5 hobbies NOT to get into this year, page 8 Volleyball set to start season, page 12

page 12

Truman State University tmn.truman.edu tmn.truman.edu

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

@TrumanIndex

@TrumanIndex

Relief funds coming for Truman students JENNA MANZELLI Staff Writer

Due to the passing of a new act in the U.S. Congress, more funds for COVID-19 relief will soon be available to students. This fresh act is called the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. The Financial Aid Department received information about this act on Jan. 14 from the U.S. Department of Education.

Marla Fernandez, director of financial aid, said the U.S. Department of Education must receive an annual report on CARES Act funds from the University before the new funds can be sent. This report is due Feb. 1, 2021.

The amount of aid available will be equal to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds from last semester. The CRRSAA allocates $1,672,672 in relief funds to students and $3,447,070 in relief funds to the University.

“What [institutional funds] can be used for is curtailed in the details of the act, these funds can only be used for certain things,” Fernandez said.

These two acts differ in eligibility standards and criteria for students requesting

funds. Unlike the CARES act, the new act denotes that aid will be available to students with “exceptional need.”

The U.S. Department of Education indicated that students who receive Pell Grants are an example of a student with exceptional need, but was unclear about what other factors may be a part of determining need, according to Fernandez.

Although there might be fewer students eligible for aid with the new eligibility criteria, aid might be able to be used for a broader range of expenses.

“Eligible expenses could be anything within the cost of attendance such as tuition, housing, food, textbooks, supplies and personal expenses,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez said the maximum amount of aid available to each student is unclear at this time.

The Financial Aid Department is planning to examine costs incurred by students and financial need before sending emails to students deemed eligible. The date that funds will be available is not certain yet, as the Financial Aid Department still must send the annual report to the Department of Education and receive the funds.

See AID page 3

SECOND ROUND OF VACCINES COMING RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief

The Adair County Health Department announced Tuesday that the second round of COVID-19 vaccines will be issued Wednesday, Jan. 27, to targeted populations, not the general public.

The Health Department will administer these vaccines via a drivethrough clinic from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. at the NEMO Fair Grounds.

The limited number of vaccines are reserved for remaining long-term care workers, hospital and healthcare workers, first responders, social services workers, teachers and staff in K-12 schools, childcare workers, communications and information technology workers, energy and utilities workers, public works workers, critical manufacturing workers and government workers.

Those in the target groups interested in receiving a vaccine must register with the Adair County Health Department before the event.

Registration can be completed by calling the Health Department at 660-730-6100 or 660-730-6200.

“We really need the public — particularly the general public age 65 and older — to be patient and not call either of the registration numbers,” Jim LeBaron, administrator of theAdair County Health Department, wrote in a press release.

See VACCINE page 6 Vanhessa Xayaphet, Health Center student employee, answers the phone at the front desk with Health Center employee Lori Elschlager. While healthcare workers are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, not all Truman faculty and staff are.

Photo by Bidan Yang

COVID restrictions stay the same RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief The COVID-19 guidelines established

by Truman State University last fall will carry over into the spring semester as the University faces rising cases in Adair County and the addition of academic breaks.

As of Tuesday, Jan. 19, the Adair County Health Department reported 83 active cases in the area, bringing the total number of cases to 2,016. Truman reported 11 active cases and 344 recovered cases.

Campus COVID-19 guidelines, such as mask requirements in buildings, social distancing and capacity limits on events, are still in effect this spring. The attendance policy adopted in the fall has also been clarified, Faculty Senate President Scott Alberts said, to provide more guidance on how course participation can affect grading.

See RESTRICTIONS page 3

VOLUME 112 ISSUE 6 © 2021

Truman to finish JED program RACHEL BECKER, ANAKIN BUSH, TREVOR GRANDIN, STEVEN FINDLEY JR. AND ETHAN HEWETT News Editor, Assistant News Editor, Podcast Editor and Staff Writers

Juniors Ashley Cichon and Maya Pritchard sit together outside Magruder Hall. Masks are still required in all university buildings. Photo by Bidan Yang

Additional contributing writers were Josie Wagner, Anas Alhassani, Anthony Whalen and Abby Hobold.

Truman State University will soon exit from the JED program, a mental health advocacy program. After the University graduates from the program, there is a continuation committee to keep the progress moving.

University Counseling Services has been working with the JED program and its committee to continue providing students with the opportunity to receive Truman’s mental health services.

Truman has seen the effects that COVID-19 can have on a college campus,

Julie Komar works as a secretary in the counseling center. The JED comittee worked closley with University Counseling Services. Photo by Bidan Yang with changes to social life and schoolwork impacting students’ mental health last semester.

See JED page 5

The Index

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

New Year, Same Masks Recreation Center keeps previous COVID-19 guidelines

Left: Sophomore Micahla Woolfolk lifts weights at the Recreation Center. The weight area of the Recreation Center is currently operating at 50% capacity.

Photo by Emily Collins

Freshman Tianhao Zhou prepares to hit back a badminton birdie. Social distancing measures are required in the Recreation Center. Photo by Bidan Yang

Sophomore Zhihao Jin plays badminton in the Recreation Center. Masks are required at all times while in the building. Photo by Bidan Yang

Right: Sophomore Grace Johler works out on an elliptical machine. Students are required to wear masks while running or on an elliptical machine. Photo

by Bidan Yang

staff Serving the University community since 1909 Editor-in-Chief: Ryan Pivoney Managing Editor: Elisabeth Shirk News Editor: Rachel Becker Assistant News Editor: Anakin Bush Features Editor: Erica Lindsay Assistant Features Editor: Genna Tlustos Assistant Opinions Editor: Brittany Morrow Copy Chief: Julie Thomassen Assistant Copy Chief: Brooke Barnes

Digital Director: Francesca Valente Assistant Digital Director: Maddie Harris Digital Assistant: Ryan Slaughter Designer: Norah Grojean Podcast Editor: Trevor Grandin Photographers: Emily Collins, Bidan Yang Copy Editors: Olivia Sloan, Gillian Burks, Jessica Robinson, Sami Harris, Leighya McNeely

Sta Writers: Allison Maschho, Savannah Kluesner, Ari Klokic, Jack Ratliff, Taylor Herndon, Kennedy Cooper, Jenna Manzelli, Joey Dougherty, Steven Findley Jr. Andrew Holder, Ethan Hewett, August Volton, Matt Frank, Ben Orshiso

Adviser: Don Krause

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

The Index

3

AID| Truman State University will soon receive more funds that will be allocated to students Continued from page 1 If a student is in need of financial aid before the CRRSAA funds are available, they can contact the Financial Aid Department to inquire about other kinds of financial aid available.

The Financial Aid Department can be reached at finaid@truman.edu.

“At this point, as far as the CRRSAA funds go, we don’t know which students are eligible yet, but as soon as we do we plan to communicate with eligible students,” Fernandez said.

RESTRICTIONS| The COVID-19 precautions put in place last fall will remain in effect during the spring semester

Junior Erin Zavadil studies in the Student Union Building. While some consider breaks during the semester a risk, many studetnts supported the measure in a surevey sent out last semester. Photo by Emily Collins

Continued from page 1 In addition to regularly updating its COVID-19 web page, Truman will provide additional resources to students through a Blackboard page titled COVID-19 Info & Resources. One of these new resources will be videos of Faculty Senate’s COVID-19 working group, consisting of Alberts, Christine Harker and Nancy DaleyMoore, talking about the latest COVID-19 updates and communication. The first video, in which the group discusses the return to campus, was released Jan. 6.

“For the spring, I think the main thing is to keep it going,” Alberts said. “Last semester, we were pretty successful … so mainly what we’re really talking about is, you know, keep it going.”

Brenda Higgins, associate vice president for student health and wellness, could not be reached for comment.

Despite the University adding academic breaks into the spring schedule, Alberts said the COVID-19 working group recommends students, faculty and staff not travel to prevent spread of the coronavirus. As of Monday, Alberts said the University had not seen any transmission of the virus in the classroom.

Alberts said while some might see the breaks as a risky opportunity for travel, the schedule was overwhelmingly supported by students.

“I was part of those discussions when we talked about doing this compressed semester and I think it worked pretty well, but man was everybody [over] worked by the end of the semester,” Alberts said.

Students that do travel, Alberts said, are encouraged to self-quarantine before and after returning to campus.

While this won’t perfectly stop the spread of the virus, Alberts said, it is a preventative measure that is effective when coupled with additional measures.

“If you’re going home all the time, that’s again that idea that every time you do that, you’re rolling the dice and you don’t want to roll the dice too many times,” Alberts said.

Alberts said some faculty are implementing self-quarantine times built into their course schedules around breaks, but that is not a requirement for faculty.

Alberts said the Faculty Senate working group has been working on stressing individual responsibility to reduce the spread of COVID-19. He said students should be thinking through all options before going into crowded areas — such as grocery stores — and do what is best for individual circumstances.

“I’m feeling pretty good about this semester,” Alberts said. “We’re not in a perfect situation, you know, lots of things we’re making it up as we go, but I’m feeling pretty good about it.”

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

New year, same pandemic While at first the pandemic and resulting quarantine might have been an opportunity for many college students to rest, binge-watch TV and make iced coffee, for many students, the social isolation is now taking its toll. As freshmen struggle to meet people and seniors aren’t able to have a normal last few months of college, many students are feeling discouraged.

Meanwhile, cases are rising and numbers are constantly being reported, and these numbers can often seem abstract and far away. Apathy and avoidance can seem easier, at times. However, this virus is still the same virus it was in March.

While reading the latest statistics, think of these numbers as your neighbors, your friends or your family members.

Here’s a chance to put that idea into practice: as of Jan. 19, Truman State University reported 11 students with active Coronavirus cases. As of Jan. 15, there have been 120 active cases and a total of 1,980 COVID-19 cases in Adair County according to the health department. On Jan. 7, the total of COVID-19 related-deaths reached fifteen in Adair County. The New York Times reports that as of Jan. 17, there have been 6,645 deaths in Missouri since the beginning of the pandemic.

The pandemic requires more than just frequently washing your hands. It is more than simply having to put on a mask before leaving your house. The New York Times reports that 369,591 Americans have died so far because of the pandemic, some of them likely your neighbors, your friends and your family. The issue of COVID-19 has come to the forefront of our lives, and it cannot be ignored.

However disheartening and discouraging it can be to think about the reality and effects of the coronavirus, each day that passes is a day we are closer to the end. As more time passes, we learn more about the virus and are able to distribute more vaccines. So, we should not be losing hope, but rather, we should be gaining it. Furthermore, we should not be discouraged and instead be even more motivated to selflessly protect our community and our loved ones.

So, though students might be tired of hearing it and it might sound cliche, everyone needs to remember to wear a mask and social distance. Instead of going to parties and traveling, make better, responsible decisions. At this point in history, we each carry an immense amount of responsibility that can mean the difference between life and death. Each decision that we make could cause ourselves or people we love to get sick. Think of the consequences of your actions, because though you might ignore the pandemic, it will not ignore you.

So long, snow days JULIE THOMASSEN Copy Chief

spring 2021 semester that result in cancellation of classes. If it is determined that students, staff and faculty cannot travel to campus or navigate campus safely, classes cannot be offered safely due to weather conditions, course content on these days will be delivered via alternative means (e.g., via Zoom, assignments posted to Blackboard, prerecorded content, etc.).”

So, in light of this new information, two opposing reactions came to mind.

First, I realized that just as every other student here at Truman does, I pay to be here — I pay for these classes and everything that goes along with them.

Thus, from a logical perspective, I should be grateful that the accessibility to my professors has been improved upon amid this global pandemic and I, as the paying, hard-working, stressed-out student, should take advantage of virtual resources even when walking outside means risking the structural integrity of my skeleton.

But, as I was trying to convince myself that this policy change was a good thing, I couldn’t ignore the fact that I like snow days. They have always given me a chance to catch my breath amid the hectic and demanding rigor of Truman’s curriculum. If nothing else, snow days bring about the joy that might not be felt in the same way again amongst TSU students, given the probability that this policy will continue once this semester ends. Because Truman has never wanted to give students snow days, I can’t shake the thought that this policy is just a convenient way for the University to excuse their refusal to do so.

We want to hear from you RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief

Welcome back, Truman community!

As we begin this semester, I wanted to take a moment to remind you about letters to the editor and community contributions to The Index.

One of my favorite aspects of serving as the editor-in-chief of this student-produced newspaper is hearing from the University community.

From our perspective, sometimes it can feel like we’re writing for a void — the silence is deafening. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. You can do more than just read the stories or listen to the podcast — you can interact with them.

Letters to the editor are one of the best ways to connect with The Index and the larger Truman community. Whether you disagree with an opinion piece we published and want to make your perspective known, or simply want to bring an issue to public discussion, you can write a letter to the editor. Perhaps you’re reading a story in the news section that just makes you see red; let us know by writing a letter to the editor. These letters can be published, which helps facilitate student, faculty and staff voices in

In the three and a half years I have been at Truman, the University’s consistent failure to declare snow days in the face of dangerous weather has always been a joke among students.

We made light of the fact that Kirksville never adequately salted the sidewalks and roads as we tried to slide our way over the ice to get to class. In my experience, it has been more commonplace for professors to cancel their individual classes out of fear for their students’ safety than an official snow day from the University. I even remember hearing horror stories of people breaking bones trying to get up the hill to Barnett Hall.

On the rare occasions that Truman did declare a snow day, the student body would collectively sigh in relief and proceed to spend the day trying to catch up on homework. Personally, snow days were chances for me to get a little more ahead than my usual status of hanging on by my fingernails.

However, according to an email sent to students on Jan. 14, “As a result of the pandemic, we are prepared to switch to alternative modes of delivery at any time, if the need should arise.

Given this ability, Truman will not be implementing ‘snow days’ during the EDITORIAL POLICY: The Index is published Thursdays during the academic year by students at Truman State University, Kirksville, MO 63501.

The production offices are located in Barnett Hall 1200. We can be reached by phone at 660-785-4449. The Index is a designated public EDITORIAL POLICY: forum, and content of TheThursdays Index is the responsibility of Thyear e Index staff. Theateditor-in-chief withKirksville, the staff and The Index is published during the academic by students Truman Stateconsults University, MOadviser 63501.but ultimately is The production offices are located in Barnett Hall 1200. We can be reached by phone at 660-785-4449. The Index is a designated public responsible for all decisions. forum, and content The Indexare is the of The Indexofstaff.

The Editor-in-Chief consults with the staff but represent ultiOpinions of Th e Indexofcolumnists notresponsibility necessarily representative the opinions of the staff or the newspaper.

Our and Viewadviser editorials mately is responsible for all decisions. theOpinions view of the Editorial through two-thirds majority vote. The of Editorial Boardof consists of or thethe editor-in-chief, managing editor, section of The IndexBoard columnists areanot necessarily representative the opinions the staff newspaper. Our View editorials repeditors, chiefof and copy chief.

The Index reservesmajority the rightvote. to edit submitted becauseofofthe space limitations, repetitive subject resentcopy the view theassistant Editorial Board through a two-thirds The Editorialmaterial Board consists Editor-in-Chief, Managing matter, libelous any other reason the editor-in-chief deems appropriate.

Submitted material includes advertisements letters to the Editor, sectioncontent editors,orcopy chief and assistant copy chief. The Index reserves the right to edit submitted material because ofand space limitations, repetitive subject matter, libelous content or any other reason the Editor-in-Chief deems appropriate. Submitted material includes editor. advertisements and letters to the editor.

Got Opinions?

Submit a letter to the editor and get your voice heard!

LETTER POLICY: The Index welcomes letters to the editor from the University and Kirksville community. Letters to the editor are due by noon LETTER POLICY: theThe Sunday publication become of The Index upon submission.

Once submitted, letter isare subject tonoon editing grammar Indexbefore welcomes letters and to the editor property from the University and Kirksville community.

Letters to the editor due by thefor Sunday and spelling errors. and become property of The Index upon submission. Once submitted, the letter is subject to editing for grammar, before publication punctuationmust and contain spellingaerrors.

Submissions well-developed theme and cannot exceed 500 words except at the discretion of the opinions editor and/or ediSubmissions must contain well-developed theme andLetters cannotcontaining exceed 500 words,attacks, except at the discretion ofinaccurate the opinions editor and/or tor-in-chief. Submission doesanot guarantee publication. personal libelous attacks or information will not Editor-in-Chief. The Index suggests that submissions be written about current events or public issues that need to be brought forth, and beshould published.

All letters to the editor must be typed and submitted by email to index.opinionseditor@gmail.com or online at tmn.truman.edu. offer a valid argument. Submission does not guarantee publication, especially when submissions fail to add something to the curwill not All be taken Include the words Letters “letter tocontaining the editor”personal in the subject of the attacks email. Letters which are not submitted digitally rent discussion. attacks,line libelous or inaccurate information will not be published. lettersintoconsideration. the editor must be typed and submitted by email to index.editor@gmail.com or online at tmn.truman.edu. Include the words “letter to the editor” in the subject line of the email.

Letters which are not submitted will rates not beortaken into consideration.

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the community. The Index accepts letters to the editor on various topics, but be sure to review the letter policy and procedure below before sitting down to write your piece.

The process of submitting a letter to the editor is fairly straightforward.

To be considered for publication, letters must be submitted by noon the Sunday before publication and are subject to grammar, spelling and punctuation upon receipt. Upon submission, the letter also becomes The Index’s property, which allows us to print the piece — don’t worry, you’ll still receive credit as the author.

Anonymous letters to the editor will not be published. For the complete policy, check out the Letter Policy below or check out the tmn.truman. edu website.

We are always accepting letters to the editor and feedback of any kind.

If we’re not reporting accurately, please let us know. If there’s a story you think we should be looking into, feel free to complete the online form or contact our media heads and editors. We also welcome feedback via social media, so feel free to message The Index’s social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

While you’re there, feel free to interact with posts and stories that catch your eye.

We are looking forward to continuing coverage on the stories that matter most to you this semester and, hopefully, more interaction with the community. We’re here to serve you, so if there’s anything more we can do, just let us know.

@TrumanIndex

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Submit corrections or contact the editor.

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5

The Index

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

JED| After developing, implementing a strategic plan, Truman will graduate from the JED program Continued from page 1 JED Campus Background In the 2016-17 school year, four Truman students committed suicide, three of which were in the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity.

Soon after the students’ deaths, Lou Ann Gilchrist, vice president for student affairs at the time, made a statement online stating the collaboration between the JED Foundation, the City of Kirksville and Truman.

The JEDed Foundation is a nonprofit organization aimed at equipping young adults in high school and college with the skills necessary to promote positive mental health and prevent suicide.

Gilchrist wrote that JED would be on campus to consult with professionals regarding possible actions to address suicide prevention in the Truman community.

Gilchrist also stated that the University would be working with the national office of AKL to implement immediate strategies, develop future courses of action and provide support to Truman’s local chapter and its members.

Soon after, Truman announced the implementation of a four-year, campus-wide program called JED Campus to enhance mental health services on campus.

In 2017, the Truman Homecoming Committee raised funds needed to pay for the program.

Dave Rector, vice president for finance and planning, said the JED membership cost $9,000. There were also programming and student labor fees that added more to that cost, Rector said.

In 2018, the “Healthy Mind Survey” was sent out to all students. It was anonymous and meant to gauge emotional and mental health on campus.

Consultants from JED analyzed the results, visited campus and made recommendations on how the University can improve its mental health care as part of a more comprehensive campus-wide approach to addressing emotional well-being.

“The JED program involves the whole campus,” Brenda Higgins, vice president for student health and wellness, said. “We will have individuals from higher administration at the University. We will have faculty, a representative from the counseling center, the health center, students and we should have legal affairs [and] admissions.

It’s a whole campus kind of thing that will have a positive impact that hopefully radiates out through the whole campus.”

Since 2018, the University has worked to incorporate JED recommendations into a strategic plan for Truman.

Evonne Bird, instructor in the exercise health department, is co-chair for Truman’s JED Committee alongside Higgins.

“We are part of JED Campus, which is a larger group,” Bird said. “We work with the JED Foundation. The idea is to improve mental wellness on campus. That includes students, faculty and staff are included in that as well. Our goal was to go through the

Brenda Higgins, director of University Counseling Services, speaks at a past JED town hall meeting. This event was one initiative accomplished by the JED committee. recommendations from the JED Committee to see where we could make changes at Truman to improve the culture on campus. This is our third year, so we are almost done. It is a four-year process and we are then considered a JED Alumni.”

University Counseling Services has worked with the University and on committees to support the JED Campus initiatives.

According to the University Counseling Services Annual Report of June 2019 to May 2020, UCS Assistant Director Joe Hamilton was the only person to receive JED training via a webinar out of the six counselors employed at UCS at the time. Hamilton and full-time counselor Madeline Nash both serve on committees supporting the JED initiatives, such as Truman Partners In Prevention.

Since its partnership with the JED program in 2017, the University has sent several surveys to understand student perspectives. When interviewed, senior Emma Kanerva had never heard of the JED program. Kanerva and senior Kaitlyn Owens both said they did not know

Janet Gooch, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, speaks at a past JED town hall meeting. This meeting was meant to address the Truman community. Photos by Caleb Bolin

what the program does for the University.

Bird said the JED committee is currently in the process of completing the post-assessment. Much like the pre-assessment done in 2017, it will determine where the campus currently stands on JED-related issues.

This semester, a student post-assessment survey will be sent to the student body. The survey will allow students to voice their opinions on where the University stands on JEDrelated issues.

Bird said she thought the team was doing well, but COVID-19 has changed a lot of their procedures.

“Although since COVID hit, I think it will be interesting,” Bird said. “The numbers will be very skewed.”

COVID-19 and Mental Health Mental health at Truman State University was impacted by COVID-19 last semester, with campus changes affecting students mentally, academically and socially.

COVID-19 and the resultingfollowing precautions have made campus interactions difficult, whether in social spaces or the classroom, and these difficulties can lead to a mental toll.

“I think it is all how students and faculty choose to react to the current circumstances,” Janet Gooch, executive vice president for Academic Affairs and Provost, said.

Truman’s Student Health Center has been testing students who have come in close contact with or have symptoms of COVID-19, requiring isolation for positive cases and recommending quarantine for those who have been exposedhad contact with positive tests.

Changes like restrictions in meeting spaces, no breaks during the fall semester and asynchronous classes have impacted both freshmen and upperclassmen who have experienced previous semesters.

“The problem for me has been that without breaks, I have had certain weeks this semester where there are heaps of work to do, and with the shortened semester, there’s already more work to do,” sophomore William Berendzen said. “I’m at 15 credit hours, so it’s hard to make sure I get all my work done and keep track of all my classes this semester.”

Even for students who did not feel there has been a particular workload increase last semester, the shortened se-

mester’s effects are still present. Senior Drew Wright said he had seen an increase in deadline extensions from professors due to the shortened semester schedule.

Berendzen, who lives off-campus this year, said this COVID-19 semester was taking its toll. Not only did he describe schoolwork as piling up, but Berendzen said he found himself spending less time on campus because of the COVID-19 precautions and the “looming threat” of falling ill and missing class time. ”I am home way more often than I’d like this semester since all I would do would go back to class and then back home,” Wright said. “Now, since it’s the end of the semester, I’m on campus a little bit more with studying, but I’m still at home way too often.”

The changes due to COVID-19 have had as much of an impact on freshmen as it has on students who have experienced campus life without COVID precautions.

Truman values student life and social interaction, but because of COVID precautions, there is concern among some returning students, like Berendzen and Wright, that freshmen will miss out on meeting new people in their first year of college.

“I do think COVID has had a pretty big impact on my mental health, just because I missed a lot of ‘lasts’ my senior year and now my freshman year of college is kind of messed up,” freshman Ashleynn Gilpatrick said. “I’m a very social person, so doing everything online and being cooped up is definitely not my style.”

While freshmen like Gilpatrick are experiencing the struggles of being on a socially distanced campus, some students have not felt completely shut out.

Freshman Blake Gordon said he has been feeling well adjusted to college life in Kirksville and still makes efforts to be social and make the best of the situation, even if socially distant.

“Truman has been really fun and a lot better than I expected,” Gordon said.

“My biggest challenge is the workload because it is different from high school and requires more work.”

With the increased stress of COVID and the shortened semester with no breaks, students’ workload issues have been a constant for this fall.

The Index

6

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

VACCINES| The general public is still not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine Continued from page 1 “The reality is that we are receiving only limited doses of the vaccine and they must be administered in a particular order to particular target groups.”

LeBaron said Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services added people 65 years and older as a target group for vaccines, but the initial target groups remain the priority. As more vaccines become available, LeBaron said, they will be administered to people 65 and older.

Truman State University faculty are not eligible for the vaccine at this time.

Faculty Senate President Scott Alberts said the Faculty Senate COVID-19 working group has begun talking about the process of providing faculty, staff and students with the vaccine and how it will be distributed.

Brenda Higgins, associate vice president for student health and wellness, could not be reached for comment.

LeBaron said the Adair County Health Department has ordered additional vaccines, which will be administered through a curbside clinic at the Health Department as they arrive.

These vaccines are reserved for individuals aged 65 and older and individuals at an increased risk for severe illness. This includes people diagnosed with cancer, kidney disease, COPD, intellectual or developmental disabilities, heart conditions, immunocompromised conditions, severe obesity, sickle cell disease, diabetes, asthma and pregnant women.

Registration for the curbside clinic vaccines is required and can be completed through the Adair County Health Department website.

Senior Jonas Miller answers the phone at the Health Center. University faculty are not eligible for the vaccine during this round of vaccinations. Photo by Emily Collins

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life

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

Comedian and St. Louis native Ryan Kelly performed his show in Baldwin Hall Auditorium Friday evening. The Student Activities Board hosted him as the Spring Welcome Back Comedian. Photo

by Genevieve Tlustos GENEVIEVE TLUSTOS Assistant Features Editor

If you’ve been on TikTok long enough, you might have seen comedian Ryan Kelly, known on TikTok as @youthpastorryan. If you’ve been at Truman long enough, you might have known his mom.

Kelly, whose mom went to Truman in the early 1980’s, performed stand up comedy at Baldwin Auditorium Friday, Jan. 15. The event was the first of the semester planned by the Student Activities Board. Seats were socially distanced, and attendees were required to wear masks.

Katherine Parsons, a member of SAB’s film and comedian subcommittee, planned the event along with Lukas Hudson, fellow SAB member. Because of social distancing, Baldwin Auditorium had a reduced occupancy rate of 228, not including SAB employees. The lower level and balcony of the auditorium reached the socially-distanced capacity before the show, leaving many students unable to find seating.

“Of course, if it was a non COVID semester that would be a different situation, if we could fill the theater even more,” Hudson said. “I’m just very glad that the event proved to be attracting several students cause that’s definitely our goal to make it appealing to as many students as possible.”

Hudson said the expected attendance for the event was 150 people. Hudson said he felt bad that students had to be turned away due to lack of seating but keeping people distanced was important. He also said he was glad so many students wanted to attend despite not being able to sit directly next to their friends.

Two students who attended, Kate Hoey and Sydney Borisenko, said they felt safe and thought adequate precautions were taken at the event.

“The SAB did a really great job of COVID safetylines,” Borisenko said. “I wasn’t expecting anything less, but it was really good how they got so many people in and everyone was able to enjoy it, and you had to have masks and COVID regulations.”

Kelly’s set included stories about his time working at Disneyland, his roommate, and many other memorable and humorous moments from his life.

Sophomores Hoey and Borisenko are roommates and have known each other for ten years. Since they

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Comedian welcomed by campus community

live together, they said they related to a lot of Kelly’s stories about his college roommate.

“I agree about color when he mentioned the girls who had color coding for who they liked, cause we definitely had that in middle school,” Borisenko said.

“So he mentioned that, and we had to make extreme eye contact … so that was hilarious.”

Parsons was backstage during the show, but she said she personally enjoyed it and— from the laughing she could hear in the audience — it seemed like everybody else enjoyed it as well.

Parsons said the event was a bit more difficult to plan than others because a lot of work had to be done over the break. Overall, Parsons said Kelly was a nice, fun and easy person to work with.

Hudson said he and Parsons went to dinner with Kelly after the show and had a conversation with him about his life and future plans. Kelly was nice from the moment they met him, Hudson said, and was also a very energetic person.

“I think especially this year it’s important to give students something that is fun and they can do with their friends but also is in an environment that

can be looked after so we know that everybody is safe or as safe as we can be in these times,” Parsons said. “Plus, people pay the activities fee, so we might as well give them something that a lot of people will enjoy.”

Hudson said that this event was a great way for students to relieve stress, relax, and be able to think about something other than assignments or other obligations. This was especially true considering that last semester was hard on students because there were no breaks, Hudson said.

“I think especially this year it’s important to give students something that is fun and they can do with their friends but also is in an environment that can be looked after so we know that everybody is safe or as safe as we can be in these times.”

Katherine Parsons, SAB member

Ryan Kelly is best known for his videos on TikTok. SAB member Katherine Parsons described Kelly as fun and easy to work with. Submitted Photo

Students filled all available seats at Friday night’s Welcome Back Comedian event. Marked seats allowed students to social distance as SAB followed COVID-19 protocols to ensure safety at the event. Photo by Genevieve Tlustos VOLUME 112

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The Index

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TOP [5]

by Rachel Becker, too stubborn to change

Hobbies NOT to get into this year

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 3. Embroidery The last thing we need during a global pandemic is unnecessary trips to the ER from a sewing needle accident. While these creations are cute and very satisfying, trust me, the painstaking hours of straining your eyes and pricking your fingers are NOT worth it.

2. Reading

5. Cooking We all love when our neighbor tries to ‘spice things up in the kitchen’ and then triggers the fire alarm, forcing the whole building to evacuate into the cold until trained professionals remove burned mac ‘n’ cheese from the smoking building. In 2021, we are sticking to ramen in our worn-out sweats.

Growing your brain is an amazing thing. I mean, that’s why I’m in college — not because I just absolutely love the thought of crippling debt in my 20s. However, while aiming to pick up a new book every week is a cute idea, we don’t have time for that. We are in a global pandemic, and you have a trigonometry exam to study for. Take that time and relax. Netflix probably has that book in movie form anyway.

1. Any Resolution

4. Hitting the gym When I try to find some peace at the Rec Center it sucks to find a bunch of people taking up the machines who don’t know what they are doing.

I agree, being in shape is a great goal — just don’t try and get into the weight room with your Birkenstocks and stringer and then get mad at the staff when you’re not allowed in.

Just because we made yet another revolution around the sun doesn’t mean we all have to change everything about ourselves. We need to realize we have gone through a lot. That “quarantine weight” you put on is the stress of living through a deadly pandemic, not some flab to nix in your resolution. However, I understand the pressure to have a New Year’s resolution, and if you absolutely need one, try this: be kind to yourself. Take a nap, take a breath and relax. Just because 2020 is over doesn’t mean you need to force yourself into a new lifestyle that — let’s be honest — will only last a month tops.

Spring semester off to snowy start

Above: Truman State University’s campus entrance was covered in a layer of snow Friday. A winter storm hit Kirksville the first week of spring classes. Photo by Emily Collins Top Right: Spike looks over snowy bricks and sidewalks outside Pickler Memorial Library. Most walking surfaces were cleared for students and faculty to travel across campus. Photo by Erica Lindsay Bottom Right: Bells outside Missouri Hall show signs of winter weather this January.

Classes resumed as normal, both in-person and virtually. Photo by Emily Collins

THE WATCHLIST:

Movies to look forward to this year JACK RATLIFF Staff Writer

“The Matrix 4” Will you take the red pill or the blue pill? The internet loves Keanu Reeves right now, so what better time to release another “Matrix” movie? In the age of the simulation conspiracy — the idea that we live in a simulation — the “Matrix” movies are timely and poignant. The plot is still unknown, but the new installment promises a plethora of sci-fi action. “The Matrix 4” is scheduled to release Dec. 22, 2021.

“Cherry” Who doesn’t love Tom Holland? This crime drama follows a former Army medic suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and drug addiction who turns to robbing banks as a way to fund his habit. This film promises to break Tom Holland’s typecasting as the sweet, lovable boy we all know him as, not to mention offering a commentary on the treatment of veterans and those suffering from PTSD. Directed by the Russo brothers, this film looks like it will keep audiences on the edge of their seats throughout its runtime. “Cherry” is scheduled to release Feb. 26, 2021.

Timothée Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson star in “Dune,” which will be viewable in October. The film boasts several notable cast members and is based on a novel that is said to have inspired portions of “Star Wars.” Photo by Warner Bros, Media.

“No Time to Die” Ah, Mr. Bond. “No Time to Die” will feature Daniel Craig in his fifth and final appearance as the infamous 007. This exciting new chapter in the Bond legacy holds endless possibilities. With Craig exiting the project after this film, there

is no telling what will happen to Agent Bond or who will replace him. After 27 — yep, count ‘em, 27 — Bond movies, it will be hard to bring a fresh take on the resilient character.

By ending this chapter in James Bond’s story, hopefully we can see some new blood and ideas injected into this storyline. “No Time to Die” is scheduled to release April 2, 2021.

“Top Gun: Maverick” “Top Gun” is a legendary movie, one that single-handedly had me daydreaming for six months about being a fighter pilot. This sequel shows us the same reckless Maverick that has a need for speed, but this time he’s much older and teaching a new generation of hotshot pilots. The film features plenty of high-speed dogfights, impressive stunts and cinematography, and, of course, shirtless beach volleyball.

Good sequels are often hard to pull off, especially with a film as loved as “Top Gun,” but this film looks poised to live up to the hype. I will say this, if I don’t hear “Danger Zone” at least once, I will be highly disappointed. “Top Gun: Maverick” is scheduled to release July 2, 2021.

“Dune” This science fiction film has all the makings of a blockbuster: big names, an enormous budget and a lot of hype. Famed director Denis Villeneuve and legendary composer Hans Zimmer are involved in the production aspect, while the cast boasts names like Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem. This film is based on a novel of the same name, which reportedly inspired parts of “Star Wars.” “Dune” is scheduled to release Oct. 1, 2021.

The Index

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

“The Talk”

9

Ari

With

Truman’s former Sexual Health Advocacy Group president answers all the sexual health questions you were too afraid to ask

I tried it so you don’t have to: Dating Apps ARI KLOKIC Staff Writer Welcome back, Truman community! While our break seemed short-lived, hopefully we each feel refreshed and rejuvenated for another semester. I want to share something I did over break that might be familiar — dating apps. Whether you have seen online commentary about them or sparked up a conversation yourself, dating apps have been commercialized and discussed over the last decade. As the title suggests, I tried three dating apps and asked around about others to tell you their features and my experience with each of them. My ratings for each app range from one being the worst, to 10 being the best. Each of these apps are similar in that you can build a profile of interests, add photos and link your Instagram to them. You swipe left if you’re not interested and right if you are, as you sift through the profiles offered for you.

Bumble: 7.5/10 Bumble was created at the tail-end of 2014 and has been a fan favorite for years . For people who are wary about dating apps, Bumble offers a friend feature and a new business feature for people looking to connect without the romantic aspect. The thing that makes Bumble stand out compared to other dating apps is that women make the first move. For non-heterosexual relationships, whoever swipes last has the ball in their court. Regardless of who has to send the first message, they only have 24 hours to send that first message before their match turns gray and is rejected. Furthermore, once the first person starts the conversation, the other person also has only 24 hours to send that first response before the match goes cold. It is Bumble’s way of urging people to make that first move.

Overall, I give the app 7.5 out of 10. One of the app’s downfalls is that the free version only allows you to find people within 100 miles of your location. In the premium version, you have the option to move around.

Another downfall is you have limited likes on the app.

For me, I enjoyed starting the conversations, but for people who are anxious or not interested in making the first move, this app would probably not be the one for you. I also found the people on Bumble to be welcoming and I have not experienced any harassment or discomfort. I have had friends who used the BFF option when in a new state or on vacation alone and enjoyed making new friends, so this is an app that can be used long-term for multiple reasons.

Hinge: 8.5/10

Tinder: 6/10

“The app that’s designed to be deleted,” as Hinge claims, is an app created in 2012 like Tinder. Unlike Tinder, it has gained popularity only in recent years. Hinge is more detailed than the other two apps. When you first sign up, it has different prompts for you to answer, like “Let’s make sure we’re on the same page about…” which makes it easier to strike up a conversation with someone.

Moreover, instead of liking a profile in general, you can like a specific photo or prompt on someone’s Hinge profile and comment on it before sending them a like. Then, the person receives the like and gets to decide whether they want to like you back. I rank Hinge 8.5 out of 10 for that feature of mutual interest.

Hinge’s free version also allows you to travel around instead of only staying at your location. You can voice and video call over the app, so you don’t have to share your phone number or another app to have those features. One of the app’s downfalls is that it has limited likes, so you can quickly run out of them. Another downside is that Hinge is known for meeting people in-person, so I had quite a few people ask me whether I wanted to meet in a social-distanced capacity while I was a few states over.

A favorite for some people, Tinder was created in 2012 and has only gained popularity since. Similar to Bumble, the free version allows people to look for singles only in their area. However, Tinder only allows a dating option, so it is strictly a dating app. The other difference from Bumble is that once you match with someone, you have an unlimited amount of time to chat with them and either person can send the first message. They will stay in your matches unless you or the other person unmatch.

I rate Tinder a 6 out of 10. I do not see Tinder as a dating app that you would go on if you are looking for a relationship. Instead, it is a great app for meeting new people or hooking up. I found that most people give their Snapchats or numbers quickly, so people move quickly off the app to other ways for communication.

Final Thoughts There’s a myriad of other dating apps that I haven’t tried out yet, but if you do, please let me know! As the new semester rolls around, you can shoot me an email (ak8777) about any sex education-related questions or join the Sexual Health Advocacy Group, whose new president is Brooke Turner. It is a fantastic group, though I might be biased, and is very welcoming and covers a multitude of subjects. Their meetings are Tuesdays at 5 p.m. in Magruder 1099.

How Chaos and Calm find each other ALLISON MASCHHOFF Staff Writer Two sisters stood on the doorstep of their childhood home, fully grown and only partially ready to depart. They had always been together, two sides of the same coin, but now they were heading in opposite directions. The outcomes of their journeys had long been prophesied: one headed toward chaos and the other toward calm.

Neither truly knew which was which, but each had hope of a certain outcome.

The first sister, the elder and quieter of the two, was heading south. Her rose skin was destined to gain the golden glow of the coastal sun; her brown curls were destined to lighten and bounce. The second sister, younger but bolder and perhaps wiser, was headed north. Her dark features would not lighten; her freckles would not gain siblings from days spent lounging in the sun-

light. The first wore a whimsical gingham the color of sky and denim and cloud. The second wore a sensible black sweater with an eye-catching v-neck of fire. They met eyes before taking those first steps in opposing directions, but they did not say goodbye.

The first sister made her way lazily, first to Georgia, then Texas, then Mexico.

Somewhere along the way, perhaps in Tennessee, she picked up a pair of rose-tinted glasses and never took them off. Everything was in hues of gold and peach, and life was like warm honey slowly dripping from a tilted spoon: she never knew when she’d finally hit the ground, but she knew it was coming. As the song says, “Falling feels like flying till the bone crush.”

The second sister took a train from Philadelphia to Montreal. She learned to speak French and wear red lipstick and let her eyebrows grow thick. Best of all, she learned to dance. She met a man who

would spin her across the floor from sunset to dawn and love filled her chest for the first time in ages. Perhaps she did not wear glasses like her sister, but she began to see things just as rosily despite the cold and wind.

The first sister found love the moment she finally hit the ground. It was a love built on new beginnings and it led her so far south that suddenly she was north. But with the steadying hand of her love grasped firmly in her own, she was at peace.

The second sister kept dancing until one dawn’s light shone upon a harsh truth she’d worked so hard to blind herself to: her partner had always loved another. The music stopped and the rosiness was gone and she ran until the earth curved beneath her feet. By the time she ran into her sister, her tears had run out.

But the pain was still there.

Two sisters stood on the doorstep of the last place they had expected to see each other. Despite having believed themselves fully grown in the past, they had done nothing but continue to grow in their time apart. Their reunion could not have come at a better time.

Each sister, one too eager to share her joy, the other too tired to keep holding in her fears, announced to the other, “I’m pregnant.”

Nine months later, the first sister gave birth to a beautiful little girl just days before her sister did the same. Despite their different paths, they had come to the same spot and yet the prophecy remained fulfilled.

“Hello, little Chaos,” said one mother to her daughter.

“Hello, little Calm,” said the other to hers.

The Index

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

In Perspective Narratives from the campus community

How has your mindset changed since last semester?

Alex Walcott, freshman

Amanda Barnhouse, senior

“I’ve learned that I need to work on my time management and sticking to plans. It’s become really important to schedule things out in advance, like I even have to schedule time to hang out with friends, so I have to prioritize certain things. Last semester didn’t go as well as I wanted it to and my mental health took a hit, so I’m trying to do better at prioritizing myself and making sure I’m okay, and making sure other people are okay too.”

“I have definitely learned that there are multiple ways to learn. You can learn in person, you can learn online, you can learn all by yourself at your own pace.

There are a lot of different ways to consume information. As a future teacher, I can see how much teachers need to continue planning for anything that could possibly happen in the future. We could go online again at any moment if the number of cases goes up. I think being able to learn online is more of a blessing than a curse because it allows people who are sick or people who have disabilities to participate in everyday activities and their classes as if they are in the classroom.”

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The Index

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

11

ATHLETE o f

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w e e k

Forward Dylan Peeters helped to propel the men’s basketball team to its fifth consecutive win last week against Maryville University. Peeters and fellow forward Elijah Hazekamp led the scoring efforts with 17 points each, while Peeters set a career-high 18 rebounds. In their fourth consecutive win against Missouri University of Science and Technology, Peeters also led in rebounds with seven.

Dylan Peeters

Men’s basketball continues winning streak RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief The Truman State University men’s basketball team has avenged one of two losses this season with a 72-47 win against the Maryville University Saints.

As of Wednesday, the Bulldogs have a five-game win streak, putting their conference record at 10-1.

“The Maryville game was a big step in the right direction for us,” Forward Elijah Hazekamp said. “Considering they gave us our only loss of the season, I thought our response the second time around was great and we showed lots of toughness. We’re certainly not happy about our one loss, but I believe that was a good wake-up call for us, and ever since we have been playing our best basketball.”

Austin McBeth, assistant men’s basketball coach, said the team hit a skid with its initial loss to Maryville University after winter break. Despite only losing the game by seven points, McBeth said it felt like a blowout.

With the University of Southern Indiana, a top competitor in the conference, being their next opponent, McBeth said the team had to reflect and refocus.

“We had a lot of really good conversations and Turner Scott, who’s basically our senior leader and the captain

of the ship, said some stuff and was just transparent about how he agreed that we have some issues on our team as far as just not competing and showing up every single night,” McBeth said.

The ’Dogs then went on to beat Southern Indiana 76-69. Since then, McBeth said the team is more engaged, competing harder and rolling with a five-game win streak.

“I think it was one of those things where the loss in the long run probably helped us become the team that we need to be,” McBeth said. “It stinks that you have to lose for something like that to kind of get you engaged and spark you, but I think it did and things are going really well right now.”

Despite averaging over 80 points per game, McBeth said his expectations for the team are to continue improving offensively.

As the conference’s top contender, McBeth said the men’s basketball team needs to focus on improving itself, whether it is facing the worst or best team in the GLVC. McBeth said he doesn’t focus on being the team at the top but rather looks at how best to win the next game.

“If we focus on anything else besides beating the Lions, we’re not focused on the right things,” McBeth said. “With that comes the responsibility of knowing that you’re probably going to get

Forward Dylan Peeters shoots the ball in a game earlier this season. Peeters led the team in rebounds and tied for the most points scored against Maryville University. Photo by Truman Athletics everybody’s best shot each and every night because everybody wants to beat the top dog.”

The team only lost three players from last season, which McBeth said has provided a familiar team dynamic. With the foundational team dynamics set before starting the season, the Bulldogs share the ball well enough to allow six players to near double-digit scoring.

McBeth said the team’s defense the past three games has been phenomenal,

and the offense has been finding its rhythm and chemistry. However, some aspects of the game, he said, could always be improved.

The men’s basketball team competes next against Lindenwood University at 7 p.m. tonight. Spectators are not permitted to attend, but the game will be live-streamed by the Great Lakes Valley Conference Sports Network.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

BULLDOGS BEST TRITONS AGAIN

Forward Katie Jaseckas guards the ball in a game last season. Jaseckas has been a leader on the team this season as one of four seniors. Photo from TMN Archives

Women’s basketball dominates University of Missouri-St. Louis RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief For the second time this season, the Truman State University women’s basketball team faced off against the University of Missouri-St. Louis last Tuesday, defeating the Tritons 75 to 63.

The Bulldogs now have a conference record of eight and two, moving on to a four-game winning streak.

Forward Ellie Weltha dominated the game for the ’Dogs, setting a personal record of 26 points in a game and beating her previous high of 16 points.

Guard Katey Klucking, who scored 11 points over 38 minutes of gameplay, said any time the Bulldogs face a team for a second time, there’s the opportunity to correct mistakes and continue making the plays that were successful.

“We are looking to continue to attack the basket, make the extra pass, shoot the 3, rebound and play one-on-one defense and help when needed,” Klucking said before the game against UMSL. “If we do these things, we will easily come out with a W. Holding one another accountable for the things they need to do individually so we can collectively be successful will be important because if everyone does something to make themselves 1% better, we will collectively be 20% better.”

Head Coach Theo Dean said despite the COVID-19 pandemic creating complications, the women’s basketball team has been largely successful this season.

“Our girls are really just coming together this year, despite everything with the pandemic and all the uncertainties that it’s caused,” Dean said. “Our girls have really done a great job since they got back last fall with just banding together [and] working hard as a team, and it’s really showing on the court for them.”

Dean said the team will be working on turnovers and rebounds as the last few games saw an increase in missed opportunities in those areas. The team is also working with a new defensive system this season, which Dean said is still taking some adjustment time, especially for the upperclassmen.

Despite having one of the top rebounders in the conference with forward Ellie Weltha, Dean said he wants to set the bar high for the ’Dogs in all aspects of the game.

“I think we could do a little better on the offensive rebound side,” Dean said.

“A lot of times it’s hard for us to do it because we’re shooting close to 50-57% in some games, so there aren’t a lot of shots to go get.”

Dean said the team plays unselfishly and holds each other accountable, which is due in large part to the chemistry cre-

ated off the court.

Because of the pandemic, Dean said the team has had to approach bonding differently than in previous years. The traditional two or three team dinners at Dean’s house, for example, were canceled.

“They have certain days each week where we’re okay with them getting together and certain days in the week where they can’t,” Dean said. “They still occasionally watch ‘The Bachelor’ and ‘The Bachelorette’ together, but it’s a little bit different. They might have to do it at a couple houses versus going to one house or just watch it with their roommates.”

Dean said he’s also been exploring ways to get the team together off the court, like watching game footage together in a classroom.

This team dynamic often presents itself on the court and leaderboards. Dean said the team is leading the conference in assists, averaging 18-19 assists per game, and each game sees a new player approaching or scoring 20 points.There have even been some games with each member of the starting five scoring in double digits.

The women’s basketball team competes next against Drury University on Saturday, Jan. 23. Spectators are not permitted to attend, but the game will be live-streamed by the Great Lakes Valley Conference Sports Network.

Forward Ellie Weltha led the Bulldogs in their game against UMSL. Weltha scored 26 points, beating her previous record of 16. Photo from TMN Archives

Volleyball set to start spring season RYAN PIVONEY Editor-in-Chief The Truman State University volleyball team will play its first game of the season against Maryville University Friday, Jan. 29.

After the Great Lakes Valley Conference postponed numerous fall sports seasons in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some teams now have their first game of the spring season in sight.

Head Coach Ben Briney said he and the team are excited about the opportunity to play and plan to make the most of it with a conference championship. This year, a conference championship is the farthest the team can go because there will not be regional or national NCAA opportunities.

The only aspect that’s really different for the team is the time of year, Briney said, otherwise preparations for the season are the same.

“One of the things we talk about in

Outside hitter Ellie Kaat hits the ball over the net in a game last season. Kaat is one of three seniors on the team this season. Photo from TMN Archives

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our program is you have to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” Briney said.

“We’re going to travel to start the year in the cold instead of the heat and we’re going to have to deal with the snow and ice and freezing rain — things we wouldn’t necessarily deal with in the fall, COVID stuff aside.”

Briney said he is focusing on what’s going to happen on the court, and the other issues will take care of themselves.

He said one of the strengths this season is that the players were ready to go as soon as the semester started, which he credits to the team’s dedicated mentality. “[The seniors] are really doing a good job with being in some ways almost in mid-season form now as opposed to in mid-February, and they’re being a great example to the rest of the team,” Briney said.

Along with strong dedication, Briney said the team is tight-knit and the effects of COVID-19 have only made them closer. He said it’s not an aspect he’s concerned about this season. There are also natural opportunities for bonding while the team is traveling, Briney added.

This season, the team only has one overnight trip, which Briney said

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should make for a more enjoyable season than typical fall seasons that usually require the team to make multiple overnight trips.

One of the features of the new spring schedule is the addition of trimatches. There will be five occasions throughout the season during which the Bulldogs will face two conference opponents on the same day.

“The tri-matches are going to be a fun, neat experience,” Briney said.

“We really don’t do a lot of tri-matches during the year from a conference standpoint … it’ll be a new experience, but we’re just excited we get that opportunity.”

Briney said if the team is successful this spring, he wants to use that momentum going into the fall to possibly win two conference championships within the same calendar year and play for the national championship.

Briney said this season is especially important for the team’s three seniors, who will now get to play through the end of their senior year.

Seniors Emma Berthold, Sam Yancy and Ellie Kaat have also stepped up as leaders, Briney said, and set the example for the rest of the team.

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