The gym was filled with energy, excitement, and a greater purpose as the volleyball team took the court for this year’s Volley for a Cure. While the night was still centered around volleyball, the event gave players, students, families, and community members a chance to come support awareness and those affected by the disease.
For the volleyball team, the night carried a meaning beyond the final score. Interviews with senior girls, Kailtyn Braun, Kendall Kolousek, and Brooklyn Caffee described Volley for a Cure as giving the game “more meaning” because it allows the team to play for something bigger than themselves while bringing more people and community together.
Event proceeds go toward the local Weskota Foundation cancer fund, which supports locals battling cancer by providing gas cards and other financial support during treatment.
Going into the game, the team focused on keeping its energy and positive attitude high. After coming off a highenergy stretch of the season, the players wanted to remain optimistic, work together, and continue building on the progress they had made.
Coach Karissa Von Eye has also noticed the players’ commitment to improving.
“These girls want to get better and do their best. They show up daily and challenge each other and themselves,” she said. One area the team has focused on improving is its offensive play. According to Von Eye, the players have been working on swinging at the ball as much as possible, explaining, “If they can do that, we will be successful!” Beyond their skills on the court, the players have continued to develop as a team. The coach described the group as competitive and hardworking, adding that they serve as a reminder that there is so much more to volleyball than the wins and losses.
Throughout the season, the team has worked to improve its communication, hustle, and overall discipline. The players credited their coaches for pushing them to give their best effort and developing a stronger drive within the team.
The work has also changed the way the team approaches difficult moments during games. When the game gets challenging, the players remind themselves of what could happen if they continue to fight at the level they know they can and put themselves in a position to win. Before stepping onto the court, the goal is to keep the energy high, stay confident, and give their best effort.
One of the players’ biggest goals for the rest of the season is to win at least one more game while making the most of their remaining time together.
More importantly, they want to finish the season knowing they had fun, gave their best effort, and made a positive impact.
For students and fans, supporting the volleyball team is another important part of the night. Two students, Grayson Finn and Sutten Jensen, said they enjoy coming to games to see the team succeed and show what they can accomplish by working together. Another described the atmosphere for Volley for a Cure as bigger and more supported than a typical volleyball game.
The excitement in the gym was also something students and fans looked forward to. Students described the atmosphere as lively, fun, and full of energy, with Volley for a Cure bringing an even stronger sense of excitement because more people come out to support the event.
Finn said the best part of the night was the sense of thoughtfulness behind it. Volley for a Cure creates an opportunity to raise awareness, collect donations, and recognize people whose lives have been affected by cancer.
The event also gives students a chance to support their athletes in more ways than simply sitting in the stands. Showing up, cheering, participating in fundraisers, and helping the team all contribute to creating a strong community atmosphere.
Ultimately, Volley for a Cure is about much more than volleyball. It is a night dedicated to recognizing and supporting people who have battled or are currently battling cancer, while also remembering those who have been lost.
For many families in the community, cancer is something they have experienced personally, making events like this especially meaningful.
As the volleyball team took the court, the crowd was not only there to watch a game. They were there to support the players, recognize those affected by cancer, raise awareness, and remind one another of the importance of coming together as a community.
Volley for a Cure showed that sometimes a game can mean more than what happens on the scoreboard. It can bring people together, honor others, and give an entire community something bigger to play and cheer for.