TERESA DULAC
STAFF WRITER
Saturday, Sept. 14, the Lady Barons hosted four local high school volleyball teams and the La Roche University volleyball team, the Red Hawks, for their annual Dig Pink Volleyball Rally, a fundraising tournament which raises money for cancer treatment and research.
The proceeds from the event went to the Side-Out Foundation and the Tony Teramana Cancer Center’s TEAR Fund. The TEAR fund is built specifically to help with the basic needs of people in the Ohio valley who are going through cancer treatment.
“The event is wonderful,” said volleyball head coach Kelly Herrmann. “It’s such a great opportunity to focus on others and to take our eyes off ourselves and focus on people who need us.”
The event started at 3 p.m. with the high school matches. Herrmann said it was wonderful to partner with local high schools, and the high school involvement really drove the fundraiser. It was easy for the friends and family of local high school volleyball team members to come and support their players, bringing in a good crowd.
President Rev. Dave Pivonka, TOR, said the opening prayer and stayed to support the Lady Barons in their match at 5 p.m. Loud music and cheering set the mood.
Franciscan played an exciting three sets against La Roche University. The Lady Barons won their first set 26-24. Sophomore Renee Antonelli had good hits throughout. In the second set, Franciscan took the lead, dipped, then came back to win 25-21. The Lady Barons fought hard in the third set, winning 25-16 and bringing the match to a close.
Herrmann said, “I’m proud of the focus that the team played with.”
The Lady Barons volleyball team’s next home match will be against University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. during homecoming weekend.