Volleyball players meet with NCHSAA, push for change after harassing comments

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For nearly three hours on Thursday, members of Mallard Creek’s volleyball team and parents met with the head of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.

They voiced their opinions in regards to getting harassed while playing a volleyball match against Lake Norman High School in September.

Parents and students said the meeting was a step in the right direction but would like to see more done to make sure players do not feel harassed or intimidated.

“Are you satisfied with today’s meeting?” reporter Stephanie Tinoco asked.

“Honestly, no because I wanted more,” parent Shalinni Thompson said.

Parents want to see more rules, discipline and change.

[READ MORE: Racist, sexual comments shouted during high school volleyball game]

“(I wanted to hear) That she was imposing some sort of sanction or consequences based on the behavior, based on the support we provided to her,” Thompson said.

[PAST COVERAGE: Volleyball teams meet for first time since alleged racist, sexual comments]

Students and parents said they talked about how they want to see the NCHSAA take action after some Lake Norman students chanted sexist and racist remarks during a match.

“I’m very thankful we got to voice our opinions and very thankful to her for coming down and talking to us,” senior Sophia Desai said.

“Maybe being suspended from the playoffs next year or have suspensions for a few games will help them realize what they did was wrong,” junior Skyy Howard said.

Parents said they want to see new policies and a formal complaint system to report harassment at school sporting events.

“What we don’t want is for anything like this to happen again,” parent Whitney Settlemier said.

The girls made a Public Service Announcement and created a petition, hoping for change.

“If I was in a room with them, I would just ask them how would it feel if the tables were turned,” Howard said.

A few Mallard Creek players are expected to speak about their experience at the next school athletic board meeting.

They also said they have not heard from parents or students at Lake Norman.

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