MCPS is choosing to eliminate coed volleyball for the 2027 spring season and replace it with a JV boys volleyball. In January, the athletic directors in the county voted unanimously to remove the program for a variety of reasons, most of which don’t make much sense. One stated reason is that there is currently an unfair advantage for girls who play a “double season.” There is also a claim that coed volleyball creates an imbalance of competitiveness for the boys volleyball teams, which is an unconvincing argument when you consider the competitive imbalances across the board for all sports in MCPS. During the spring season, coed volleyball at Sherwood shines, and MCPS shouldn’t get rid of successful teams and a sport that has built  a good amount of traction. 

Girls volleyball is a completely different sport than coed volleyball and many coaches say so as well. It involves different rotations, strategies, and different skill sets for the players who are girls. As for the boys volleyball teams, there is already an imbalance of competitiveness with or without coed. Some schools are going to be more competitive every year while some schools stay at the level that they are at. Instead of cutting the sport completely, schools could work to balance out funding to make room for more sports, especially ones that allow for greater participation by female athletes.