Crushing cancer one game at a time. That’s the idea of Dig Pink, an event hosted by the volleyball team on Tuesday, October 12.

Entering the gym, it looked like a shower for a baby girl. EVERYONE was wearing pink. Pink balloons, pink shoelaces, pink posters, pink socks, pink shirts, pink hair…it was a gym full of pink. But it was no baby shower, it was the annual Dig Pink event.

“Not only does Dig Pink raise money for breast cancer research, it also unites volleyball athletes together in a great cause,” said head coach Stephanie Noriega.

The three volleyball teams raised money to support cancer research during the games. T-shirts sold for $15. They also sold baked goods, pizza, and held a raffle.

“I think it’s fair to say we will not only meet our $2000 goal, but will exceed it. And it all goes to the Side-Out Foundation,” said the event organizer Scott Schutzmeister. His wife, Shawn, has metastatic breast cancer and is currently undergoing a new round of chemotherapy and treatment. Their daughter Savannah plays on the Varsity volleyball team.

“This event is very special to our team for many reasons. We have several girls who have parents or loved ones who are fighting or have fought breast cancer,” Noriega said.

Varsity player Emily Nagel’s mom also battled cancer. Nagel says she understands the difficulties that a cancer can bring to families and enthusiastically supports any event that helps cancer patients.

“I love this event. It was awesome! It was personal to me because my mom had cancer.  Not breast cancer, but cancer,” said Nagel.

All the money raised at the Dig Pink event goes to the Side-Out Foundation created by former WS volleyball coach Rick Dunetz. 

Dunetz’s mom discovered she had stage-four metastatic breast cancer during the 2004 season.

“This gym is where Dig Pink originated” said Dunetz at the game. “The 2004 team [at WS] inspired me to create the Side-Out Foundation.”

Dunetz’s mom lost her battle with breast cancer earlier this year. His efforts to support his mom during her battle with breast cancer led to the successful promotion of Dig Pink, which has grown to be supported by volleyball teams all over the nation.

“It’s meaningful for our team to be part of the cure,” junior Alexis Lopez said.

Athletic Director Andy Muir estimated there were 350 volleyball fans at the event. The team really appreciated those fans. Many waved home-made posters and came dressed in pink. A group of male students made a big showing of their support by body painting each girl’s jersey number on their chest. It was a fun evening for a good cause for both the teams and the crowds.

“I believe this is a special cause and as a coach I am so proud of my girls when I see them come together for something beyond the normal teenage concerns,” Noriega said.