The Hobart Volleyball team was “Diggin’ for a Cure” tonight by hosting a “Dig Pink” night on Wednesday while hosting rival team Hanover Central. “Dig Pink” is a themed night that focuses on cancer awareness by fundraising money for an organization and also showing support for cancer survivors.
“Dig Pink” night didn’t stop at the phrase. The team and their parents organized a series of ways to show their support for people with cancer. To raise funds for their charity of choice a bake sale was put on outside the gymnasium, roses were up for sale, and pink Hobart Brickie Volleyball t-shirts were on sale.
The idea to host a “Dig Pink” night originated from the team themselves. A few years back Hobart hosted a “Dig Pink” night but the girls thought it was time for a resurgence. When the team brought the idea to head coach Elizabeth Denton-Slough she couldn’t of been more supportive of the idea.
“By having a night like this, it really gets them thinking about getting involved with something bigger than themselves. I really want to encourage them to build character, be involved with the community, and see that donating to a cause that can change a life can open their eyes for the better. That’s all included with what we’re doing for Dig Pink.” Denton-Slough also explained that since the team was so passionate about putting the night together, they realize that there’s more than winning or losing, “I really do think that they realize that there’s more than if we lose. Ultimately it’s about how you feel, how you give back to people who have had a hard life, and celebrating those people who have fought so hard to live their lives.”
Hobart’s volleyball team took the night to heart in many different ways. They decorated the gym in different shades of pink by tying pink crepe paper around the gymnasium, and punctually accenting the stands with dozens of pink balloons. The girls wore special pink uniforms, the coaches had their specially made pink shirts, and Hanover Central even had pink shirts to wear over their uniforms.
The best example of their support, though, was personally celebrating family members who have both survived and lost their lives to cancer. After the JV team finished up their game, seven cancer survivors joined certain members of the team to walk around the gymnasium as they received a standing ovation. Carol Origlel, Carmen Vega, Wava Riddle, Barbara Raff, and Lean Coubal all walked across the hardwood floor with pink roses in their arms and a Hobart Volleyball player by their side. Carol Origel, a breast cancer survivor and has been in remission for five years, said that “Dig Pink” night was precious to her.
“It’s really exciting! I’m honored to be here tonight with all of these amazing women. It’s great to see recognition be given- and to see great examples of survivors. Lean Coubal had breast cancer and has been in remission for 20 years, so seeing that it can be done is outstanding.”
After the women took their seats, there was a moment for five family members who had lost their lives due to cancer. From there Hobart took on Hanover Central for a game amongst a sea of pink.
As for the question if the team would do the “Dig Pink” night over again, the answer is a resounding yes. Zoe Wilson, a senior player for Hobart, said that the night a great way to spend a Wednesday with her team. “It was great fun, all of it. It’s a special night for a very important cause that all of our families have been affected by. Tonight was a way to be a part of something that we normally wouldn’t have a chance to, so of course I would do it again. Absolutely.”