Walking into the large gym for the first home varsity volleyball game on Thursday, Sept. 25, it’s easy to understand why one might be impressed.

With a refurbished floor, polished and professional, and brand-new metal bleachers instead of last year’s crumbling wooden ones, the $250,000 spent to upgrade the 17-year-old gym seems to be well worth it.

For the volleyball team, the first game played in the newly renovated gym was even more exciting because of the increased seating availability.

“The other night we had a pretty good-sized student section, which we’ve never had before,” said Nancy Hopkins, head volleyball coach. “It would be nice to have a student section like that every time we played.”

Despite the newness, for some volleyball players, rumors the renovated gym did not meet Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) requirements for hosting sub-state put a damper on the excitement.

“The refereeing stands are legally not positioned correctly and we aren’t allowed to host sub-state because the courts are (only) 5 or 10 feet separated,” senior Paige Corcoran said. “It’s kind of disappointing because they put so much money and work into the gym, and they can’t provide us the necessities that volleyball needs.”

However, according to athletic director Mike Hill, the new gym not meeting KSHSAA standards is just a rumor.

“We spent a great detail making sure the courts were legal and laid out a certain way,” Hill said. “We consulted not only the architect, but also the head volleyball coach.”

While KSHSAA requires a 20-foot gap between the volleyball courts in order to utilize both courts simultaneously during sub-state, Free State can still host the event. A less efficient but still workable solution makes this possible.

“The only difference is that we have to do one at a time because we don’t have enough space in between,” Hopkins said.

After hearing some referees complain about the positions of the refereeing stands, volleyball players questioned if these stands were in the correct place.

“The referees like them to be on the inside so that the down ref is on the outside by the score table,” Hopkins said. “We’ve played in places both ways. I don’t think there is a rule that says they have to be that way.”

Aside from the alleged sub-state and refereeing stand issues, the renovated gym exceeds sophomore Naomi Hickman’s expectations.

“The floors are really nice, and the Firebird in the middle is awesome,” Hickman said.

Overall, the logistical issues with holding sub-state and the refereeing stands are nothing more than minor inconveniences.

“I’m the biggest stickler there is about following the rules, and if there was a rule against it, I would be making a big stink about it,” Hopkins said.