Think pink: Girls volleyball teams raise money for cancer research

Hoping to increase the awareness of breast cancer and help find a cure, high school girls volleyball teams are holding fund-raising events.

The specific nights are called Volley for the Cure, and two Mid-Suburban League teams have the rather rare opportunity to participate twice.

Prospect and Buffalo Grove staged the event at Buffalo Grove High School on Wednesday.

The Knights will also host their own Volley for The Cure on Oct. 14 while Buffalo Grove will play in another event on Oct. 17 at Libertyville High School.

The Illinois High School Association put the idea out for Volley for the Cure on its Web site before the season.

"We said, 'OK, they're doing this fundraiser for breast cancer, and if anyone in the conference would like to participate, let's do it,'" said Marianne Mendoza, the MSL's volleyball coordinator and Buffalo Grove varsity coach. "We called Prospect and Mike (Riedy, head coach) was willing to come to our place for it."

The night included raffles and sales of T-shirts and headbands promoting breast cancer awareness. The players wore pink.

Mendoza said proceeds for the BG match went to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation (organization supporting breast cancer research) and to the Pat Gaul Scholarship Fund at Buffalo Grove High School.

Gaul was a longtime employee at the high school, including a lengthy stint as the school's concession's director. She was also secretary for the assistant principal of student activities. She died of cancer in the summer of 2004.

Volley for the Cure actually started when a college student and former Ohio high school volleyball player (Sarah McGrath) and her mother (Barb) asked the Ohio High School Association if it would use a high school match as an awareness event to honor two friends suffering from breast cancer.

Nearly 15,000 Ohio volleyball players wound up donning pink jerseys for different Volley for the Cure matches, playing before crowded bleachers and raising almost a half-million dollars for the Susan G. Komen fund.

Former IHSA Assistant Executive Director Ola Bundy (1967-96), who was in charge of volleyball, was a breast cancer awareness advocate before succumbing to the disease in 2006.

Barrington hosted a Volley for the Cure with Schaumburg on Sept. 23.

"It was a great success," said Fillies coach Christopher Bronke. "Both teams sported pink for the evening, which made the gym look great. The officials were OK with us using a white and pink ball, which was a very fun touch for the evening."

At the door, donations for the cause were taken.

"We were giving our pink Volley for the Cure T-shirts in exchange for a donation of 10 dollars or more," Bronke said. "We had flowers for any survivor and they were also given a raffle ticket. After the match we raffled off the game ball, which was signed by the varsity team, and then given to the survivor who won the raffle. Then we took a photo of the winner with the ball and the coaching staff (which also was wearing pink). "

Bronke called it a very special night.

"We also combined it with our faculty night, so that there would be more people there to support the cause," he said. "Our faculty did not disappoint, coming out in great numbers to support their student-athletes as well as the cause. Overall, it was a great night and a wonderful start to what we hope will now be an annual event."

Schaumburg veteran coach Jeanette Pancratz, who has collected nearly 660 wins in her career, called it a wonderful reflection of how together everyone achieves more.

"Our girls wore pink T-shirts to warm up and we asked their fans to wear pink, too," she added. "To promote a cooperative effort between teams who are competing in a competitive arena can only enhance the true meaning of athletics."

Bronke credited Lauren Melzer, Kathleen Steiger and Jan Fijal as key members in the planning of the event.

When Prospect holds its special night with Hersey, Riedy said the players will all be wearing pink socks while coaches and officials will also be wearing pink to show their support.

He said Prospect will probably wear pink shorts to recognize the cause.

"We will be selling T-shirts for $10," Riedy added. " We will also be accepting donations at the door. Anyone that donates at the door will receive a raffle ticket to win a door prize (pink volleyballs) or the 50/50 raffle (winner receives 50 percent of the money donated)."

There will also be a moment where officials recognize those whose lives have been affected by breast cancer.

The night takes on a personal significance to Prospect senior libero Kathleen Hudson.

"My family has personally been affected by cancer so I know how hard it is to deal with," she said. "It is important that we participate because we can make a difference. It may be a small one, but it's still something and I know that the money we will raise will help many people in the end."

Prospect senior outside hitter Betsy Bates has also personally witnessed women fighting the disease.

"They want to beat it so bad and have nothing but confidence and positive thoughts that they will," she said. "I hope the community shows support by donating money and buying T-shirts while supporting the teams that night. It's important to donate to breast cancer research to give hope to those who have lost a loved one or to those fighting day in and day out for their lives.

"Our team is excited about selling T-shirts, wearing pink tie-dye socks and pink spandex, but the great thing is we're having fun while giving back."

Junior outside hitter Rachel Hunt said that while it is important to show recognition and support, the event also raises awareness of the growing threat of breast cancer.

"This night is important because there are so many women who are affected by breast cancer," she said. "It is a great way to get other people to recognize the ones who have had someone in their life with breast cancer."

Senior middle blocker Claire Behnke also has seen the disease strike first hand.

"I know a handful of people who have endured breast cancer and worry that one day I could be hit as well," she said. "Fundraising is important not only to protect me from getting cancer but to improve research and save all who are in danger.

"This event helps improve the morale of those fighting breast cancer and those who have survived the battle. It is important to support those who struggled through the pains of cancer."

More than 70 high school matches this fall in Illinois are hosting a Volley for the Cure night. The fundraising events have spread to at least 14 others states.

"Volley for the Cure is a special event because we are honoring all those who are fighting, have survived, or have succumbed to breast cancer," said Prospect senior right side hitter Tracy Hefferan, an all-area selection last fall.