Todd Rose | Daily Press Carney-Nadeau’s Taylor Kedsch (10) follows through on her strike as Forest Park’s Megan Bucek (6) and Paige Mianecki (15) attempt the block Nov. 4 in Carney.

CARNEY — Imagine this: you’re the coach of a volleyball team who is performing the best they have all season, and it’s just two days before a quarterfinal playoff match. Then, you’re at practice when you receive a message. Your season is suspended.

Carney-Nadeau Wolves’ coach Steve Kedsch doesn’t have to imagine.

“We were actually at practice Sunday night when we got word of the shutdown,” said Kedsch. “It was an emotional night for us.”

The Wolves were scheduled to play Rudyard Nov. 17, a game that has been postponed until Dec. 15. It will still take place in Manistique.

Now, the Wolves take a step back for three weeks before being able to reconvene for practice on Dec. 9.

To combat the issue of no practice, Kedsch is sending out workouts for the team to do at home while they count down the days until they can play again.

This isn’t the first time the Wolves have had to step off the court in the 2020 season, however.

In mid-October, the team went in to quarantine for two-weeks. In their first game back on Oct. 27, they showed little sign of being affected by the break, defeating the North Central Jets 3-0 (25-5, 25-8, 25-3).

This time, though, Kedsch is making some changes in how the team returns to action, learning from the earlier break.

“We tried to go right back into practice, and it just didn’t work out the way we wanted it to,” said Kedsch. “We’re going to take the first days back and just work on skills and try to get the kids right back in shape.”

Aside from having the chance to observe their upcoming opponent in action, Kedsch felt his team was in top form in the days leading up to the suspension.

“I thought we were playing really good volleyball,” he said. “We had a couple girls peaking at the right time here and really stepping up, some role players. We felt good going into it.”

For now, it’s hurry up and wait for the Wolves.

“So looks like we will take three weeks off and do it again,” said Kedsch.

For the Wolves’ seniors, the news of the suspension hit them hard.

“The news was devastating to hear, especially with just one week to go,” said middle hitter Heidi Kirschner. “We appreciate the chance to be able to continue the season after the three weeks is up, but it simply isn’t the same and will feel like starting over again.”

Kirschner also voiced concern about trying to keep the team morale and energy high until the Dec. 15 match against the Bulldogs.

“The initial excitement of moving on to such a big game might not be able to live throughout a three-week period,” she said.

Setter Haley Ernest is hopeful and eager for the resumption of the season.

“I hope that it is only a delay, and we get to finish our season,” she said. “I feel like we can accomplish a lot.”

Also positive about getting the season finished, and echoing the sentiments of coach Kedsch, was outside hitter Taylor Kedsch.

“We’re working hard at staying in shape doing workouts at home,” Taylor Kedsch said. “We are hoping we can finish the season as soon as possible.”

Possibly the most optimistic about the situation is middle hitter Liana Blahnik.

“Even with a delay, I would like to express my gratitude in having the possibility to finish off our senior season,” Blahnik said. “We’ve all grown so much as a team, and I can’t wait to see what this opportunity can do for us.”

Even with the two-week quarantine in October, the Wolves have been on a tear this season.

On Nov. 5, they defeated North Dickinson in dominant fashion 3-0 (25-8, 25-8, 25-9) to clinch their fifth consecutive district title.

The next week, the Wolves downed Chassel in another impressive 3-0 (25-16, 25-11, 25-2) victory to win their third straight regional championship.

It is here that Carney’s season, and all sports, came to a grinding halt.

Now, the Wolves play the waiting game until the green-light is given to resume.

If the Wolves’ performance in their first match back on Dec. 15 matches their play against North Central after quarantine, they will be a force to be reckoned with.