One school’s volleyball players are noticeably absent from the Ridge and Valley Conference’s 2013 All-Conference Volleyball Team.
Although the North Crawford volleyball team was the undefeated Ridge and Valley Conference Champion, as well as the WIAA Regional and Sectional Champion, no players were among the 12 players selected to the all-conference first team nor were there any among the 11 players selected as all-conference honorable mention.
The omission of any North Crawford players from the all-conference team occurred, when conference coaches, other than Trojan coach Anna Davidson, stated they would not vote for any North Crawford players and then followed through on their promise.
At issue were what the coaches considered to be an inappropriate posting or postings on the social media website Twitter that were allegedly made by one or more of the nominated North Crawford players earlier in the season.
Seneca volleyball coach Dawn Ray explained the seven other coaches reached a unanimous decision to not consider the North Crawford players, nominated by Davidson, after they decided the players were involved in a situation which the coaches deemed to be “unacceptable behavior.”
“In short, the conference coaches, other than Anna (Davidson), got together regarding issues that may or may not have taken place here at school, which I am not at liberty to discuss, and felt the girls should not be placed on the all-conference ballot due to that,” North Crawford Athletic Director David Bergum said in explaining the situation.
“It was tough call to make, but I think it was needed to send a message, to our girls as well,” Ray said. “It’s not all about athletic talent, it’s about character too.”
Bergum confirmed the North Crawford School District was aware of the situation involving the players when it occurred and took appropriate action after consulting with the attorney for the school district.
Despite their decision to not place any North Crawford players on the all-conference team, the conference coaches selected first-year North Crawford volleyball coach Anna Davidson as the Ridge and Valley Conference Coach of the Year.
