By JOSEPH MALDONADO/ Talon Contributor
Wallyball, the indoor recreational sport played in racketball rooms, is quickly becoming a common hobby for college students.
The rules of wallyball are the same as those of volleyball, except the bounds of play now include the walls. For example, spikes can hit walls, and as long as they hit the other side, the point will count.
UT Tyler student and avid wallyball player Rachel Smith spoke on the reasons she enjoys the sport.
“It’s a break in my day where I can not focus on schoolwork as much, and just kind of enjoy what I’m doing, be present in the moment,” she said.
To play wallyball, the net is attached to four holes in the walls, using hooks and attachments, and is the same height as a regular volleyball net.
Wesly Watkins, another UT student, explained how the process of playing wallyball works.
“They [the UT Tyler gym] would rent out these nets that you connect on the sides to make the court. They’re just racquetball courts but I figured out about the net you could put up, making it a wallyball court, and it’s a good alternative to playing volleyball on a rainy day.”
A typical wallyball match lasts anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes, which works perfectly for the busy schedules of both students.
One of the most drastic differences between volleyball and wallyball is the size of the court. A typical volleyball court is 29 feet by 59 feet, while the court used both for wallyball and for racquetball is 20 feet by 40 feet. While that might not seem like much, during actual play the more feet a player needs to cover, the more exponentially difficult it is.
“I think I enjoy wallyball more due to my shoulder issues. It makes me feel a little more confident in what I can do and all the different positions I can play,” said Smith about her preference between volleyball and wallyball.
For those wanting a break from the daily grind, wallyball is a fun, easy-to-pick-up alternative to volleyball.
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