The Rollins women’s volleyball team will face Eckerd College for their ‘Dig Pink’ match on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m in the Alfond Sports Center. In support of the Sideout Foundation, which works to fight against breast cancer, the volleyball team hopes that this game will help raise awareness and funds for research into the disease.
All money given to the fundraiser will go to the cause, and all students who attend are asked to wear pink clothing in support of fighting breast cancer.
The team players will be wearing special jerseys, which are to be auctioned off after the game. The link to the auction can be found on the Rollins sports website. The money gained from the auction will also go to breast cancer research.
“Our team always says that we wear the jersey to be a part of something bigger than ourselves,” said Alexis Paxton ’19, who wears number 9 on Rollins’ team. “This is also a chance to contribute to something bigger than Rollins or volleyball. We are so grateful to have the tremendous opportunity to spread awareness, collect donations, and honor those we’ve lost and who have survived.”
“Almost everyone on our team has someone in their life who has been affected by this awful disease,” said the coach of the women’s volleyball team, Mika Robinson. About 12 percent of American women will develop invasive breast cancer at some point in her lifetime, which is about 1 out of every 8 women. Eckerd’s volleyball coach, Michelle Piantadosi-Lima, is a breast cancer survivor herself.
“My great-grandmother and my aunt both had breast cancer,” said Paxton. Her grandmother had survived for 35 years with breast cancer and died ten years ago. “I never got to know her that well, but I’m still so proud to say that she beat cancer for so long.”
Paxton’s aunt battled breast cancer for about a year before being told she was cancer free at the cost of her thick, dark wavy hair and ‘80s bangs. “Every time we see her, it’s so special. We all get reminded for those few hours that life is so precious. It was scary but her strength is refreshing and inspiring.”
“Our team looks forward to both the competition and the ability to use our game as a platform for a greater cause,” said Robinson. Rollins beat Eckerd back in Sept. with a final score of 3-2. It was a clutch game, the Rollins team losing the first two sets and coming back to claim victory with three straight winning sets.
The Rollins volleyball team has participated in Dig Pink matches in the past and will be very likely to continue to do so to continue raising money for breast cancer research and raising awareness.
If students wish to donate to the fundraiser, they can go to https://giving.side-out.org/campaigns/13704 or plan to donate at Friday’s match.
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