For the last two weeks, Cordova High School varsity volleyball head coach Shavonna Andrews and her coaching staff has been conducting conditioning drills for returning and incoming players.

On Tuesday evening, 21 girls were inside Lancer Gym taking part in circuit and footwork drills – but without the use of volleyballs. That is because Cordova, along with the rest of the Sac-Joaquin Section high schools, are now in the dead period that started July 18th and ends Monday when fall practices for prep volleyball teams being. Coaches, however, can still conduct voluntary conditioning drills without the use of the ball for that sport during the dead period.

“A lot of footwork without the ball,” Andrews said. “I have a lot of new girls who are inexperienced right now.”

Andrews has been pleased with the improvement of the girls who have been taking part the drills.

“There has been a lot of improvement since we’ve started,” Andrews said.

Taking part in the conditioning and footwork drills are some of Andrews’ returning players. That includes seniors Gianna Bell and Rosaline Meyer, and juniors Shaieve Monroe and Elizabeth Ruiz, both of whom started as sophomores last fall.

“You see the ones that have athletic ability,” Andrews said. “They are just jumping in and going after it.”