JAMESTOWN, N.D. (newsdakota.com) – 2020 strikes again.

After a spike in positive COVID-19 cases in Jamestown and Stutsman County, University of Jamestown’s athletic department is playing it safe.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the University of Jamestown has postponed it’s home volleyball matches for Saturday, September 5th, Friday, September 11th and Saturday, September 12th,” wrote UJ Athletic Director Sean Johnson in an email.

A combination of factors went in to this decision. Johnson confirmed members of the team tested positive for COVID-19, but he also cited the other confirmed cases on campus and in the community in a recent phone interview.

The decision ultimately came down to “player safety,” said Johnson.

The North Dakota Department of Health reported 29 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday morning in Stutsman County bringing the county’s active case number over 100.

All the different factors caused UJ to postpone its first five matches against Mayville, VCSU, Northwestern (IA), Morningside, and Northwestern-St. Paul.

As of now, the rest of UJ’s athletic teams are preparing to play as planned. Women’s soccer, golf and football are schedule to begin their season over the next few weeks.