2008 Woodie Awards
MC Volleyball Fights Breast Cancer and Beats Marist
Bri Yurek
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Sports
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"As female athletes, it is important for us to be involved in something that has a direct relationship with who we are as individuals," said Head Coach Jolie Ward.
Lee National Denim Day is a nationwide breast cancer awareness fundraiser that was created in 1996 by the Lee Jeans Company. Raising over seventy million dollars in twelve years, it has become one of the largest single-day breast cancer fundraisers in the country. Fans were encouraged to attend the event in a pink tee shirt and jeans and give a donation of five dollars to the cause.
Dunkin' Donuts made a contribution of food items for the event. Parents of the team members made pink pastries, while the girls tie-dyed shirts that were sold throughout the game. All proceeds went towards the team's contribution to breast cancer awareness.
With encouragement from fans, the Jaspers were successful in defeating Marist 25-16, 30-28, 29-27. Winning three straight sets, MC demonstrated extreme effort and teamwork bringing their overall record to 3-10, and 3-3 in the MAAC.
The Jaspers came out strong in the first set, developing a lead with kills from Andrea Reiff and Sherryta Stokes. The Lady Jaspers remained strong defensively, stopping the Red Foxes from scoring more than two consecutive points during the entire set. A kill from MC's Jaci Rahey finished the first set at 25-16.
MC jumped ahead early in the second set with a 10-2 lead. Marist came from behind bringing the set to a 14-14 tie. From that point on the set was close. Manhattan had three consecutive set points at 25-24, 26-25, and 27-26 but was unable to capitalize. The Red Foxes then had their chance at 28-27 but MC came back and finished the set off at 30-28.
In the final set, Marist was ahead 15-12. However, MC soon tied it up at 15-all. The Red Foxes then scored again to bring their lead to 19-15. The Jaspers came from behind keeping the game neck and neck until the final rallies. With fourteen ties and nine lead changes, both teams fought hard during the third set.
"I appreciated the chance to play for such a meaningful cause. It was nice to see the crowd supporting the cause as well, wearing blue jeans and pink shirts," said player Katie Kerbstat. For those who could not attend the event held at MC, the team has an account on www.denimday.com. Family and friends are able to make donations in the name of the players on the team. The team exceeded their four hundred dollar goal set on the account, and is still accepting donations.
The girls will make another contribution in November when they "Dig for the Cure." They plan to make more of an outreach to our community, and raise even more money for breast cancer awareness and research.