Late last summer, the Horizon League made the decision to postpone fall sports until the spring, leaving sports like soccer, volleyball, and cross country without their normally-scheduled seasons.

Tennis and golf also were impacted, albeit their conference slate is normally held in the spring.

On Monday evening, inside a Beeghly Center void of fans, volleyball once again was played, as the Penguins played their first match in 436 days against IUPUI.

It was also a marathon for the Penguins and Jaguars who played a 2-hour, 42-minute long match on the front end of a back-to-back.

Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Youngstown State volleyball coach Aline Scott, center, talks to her team prior to their 3-2 win over IUPUI on Monday.

“It felt unbelievable really, we’ve been waiting for so long, and it was such a letdown when our season was canceled,” YSU coach Aline Scott said. “Just to have a little taste again feels wonderful.

“I know it’s in the spring, I know it’s unconventional, but we didn’t care, we just wanted to be out there. We’re grateful to be playing.”

The Penguins outdueled IUPUI three sets to two to claim victory in the season opener after training from September through late November.

Normally, in addition to conference play, teams will play a slew of non-conference matches, along with tournaments. That isn’t happening this year, making the beginning of Horizon League play a bit unusual.

“It’s tricky because you don’t get to see your lineup,” Scott said. “You don’t get to see how kids react to competition, and pressure, so that’s the missing link. Today I knew was going to be a little tight because we’re still trying to figure that out.

“We have a lot of newcomers, so I’m glad they pulled it out. But I knew it was going to be tight, just for that reason, not being able to be tested out beforehand.”

One of nine roster additions for YSU is sophomore Josi Borum, a transfer from Chicago State, who recorded 18 kills to help push her team to victory. Junior Alexia Byrnes recorded 9 kills, 29 assists, and 14 digs, alongside senior Margaux Thompson’s 15 digs.

Just like in basketball, the stands within the confines of the Beeghly Center lay dormant, with no fans allowed to attend.

Players wore masks while playing, the teams didn’t switch sides, there wasn’t handshaking and the volleyballs were constantly disinfected.

Players and coaches are also tested three times a week.

“It felt different today, it certainly did,” Scott said. “Not having the energy in the building and excitement with the big points, so it actually puts more pressure on our bench to bring some energy for the players on the court.

“It was very weird coming in without anyone here.”

In a normal year, the Penguins would be using the spring to lift and work on individual skill development.

“I just feel so happy for them, to start on such a positive note and gain some confidence and get the jitters out in this first one,” she said. “I’m just proud of them, very happy.”

In another change from normal years, the Penguins will face off against IUPUI tonight at 6 in a back-to-back series to start off their 16-game schedule.

Other YSU fall teams, such as women’s soccer, begin their season next Wednesday at home against Oakland. Men’s and women’s golf and tennis will progressively begin their seasons during the remainder of January and throughout February.

After Indiana State opted out of the spring football season, the Missouri Valley Football Conference shifted its schedule, making the Penguins’ home-opener Feb. 27 against Northern Iowa, following a trip to North Dakota State the previous week.

That’s on top of swimming and diving, indoor track, basketball, women’s bowling, and eventually, baseball, softball, outdoor track and lacrosse, making it a very busy spring at Youngstown State.