The Boston Globe | How out-of-school sports are fueling an absenteeism crisis in Mass. schools
Posted on: November 10, 2026
By Christopher Huffaker and Marcela Rodrigues, Globe Staff
Traditional high school varsity sports present no such tradeoff. While club sports pull students out of class, school-sponsored teams can be a powerful incentive for kids to show up, particularly in less wealthy communities where fewer families can afford private leagues.
Consider another volleyball star, Yanalis Ventura, 17. In her freshman year at Salem High School, Ventura regularly ditched school — sleeping in, lounging at home, or goofing off with friends.
Then she tried out for Salem High’s volleyball team and everything changed.
