One game. One night. One cause. One color: Pink. LHS, the number one ranked volleyball team in the state, played Truman High School at Truman on October 2 to raise awareness and support a cure for cancer.

“Basically it’s a cancer awareness game,” Varsity Coach April Fleming said. “The survivors of cancer stand up in the crowd.” All of the proceeds go to the Susan G Komen cancer organization. In past years the team has sold bracelets and all the ticket money has gone to the organization.

Junior varsity and varsity both played in the game against Truman. The girls were looking forward to this game to not only help support the cause, but also because they recognized a person very special to them. The JV coach, Katie Goulding’s sister, was diagnosed with breast cancer just recently.

“My sister was diagnosed a month before her 30^th [birthday] in February,” Goulding said. “She went through two different chemo treatments that lasted until this summer.  She has had surgery and will soon begin radiation.  The doctors are pleased with the results so far.”

With all the hype for the preparation for the game, one of the greatest parts was designing a new jersey. Fleming created the jerseys this season. “They are bright pink then the front is going to have a number and the Blue Jay on it, then it will have Liberty written with the ribbon for breast cancer,” she said.

The atmosphere of the game had each girl excited for something different.

“It’s always been a big game,” sophomore Emma Cohalla said. “I’m really excited to finally be a part of it and play [in it].”

“[I’m looking forward to] all the excitement of everyone there. I think it’s going to be so cool to see all these people and all this pink coming together,” volleyball manager and sophomore Jessica Maschino said.

Senior MacKenzie Rieth has been in past “dig for the cure” games. “[There are] poster[s] that say ‘I’m playing for:’ and people can go up and sign it for someone they know that had breast cancer,” she said.

The atmosphere was inspiring to the girls with all the pink in the crowd. “It’s kind of exciting even though we’re all there competing against each other; we’re there to come together to support a cause,” Maschino said. “Whether we win or lose we’re going to walk away with a smile on our face knowing that we were part of helping a cause.”

The season is now half way over. The girls have had an amazing season so far. With an undefeated record and ranking number one in the state right now, the girls are sad to see the season come to an end.

“We all get a long really well,” freshman Jenna Rombalski said. “We’re also really good friends in school not just when we’re playing.”

Maschino agreed, “[I like] getting to see how everything works and getting to know the girls inside and outside of volleyball,” she said. “Our season is rockin’ right now. Our girls have worked so hard and we are so proud of them. We’re coming out on top this year.”