HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL: Abingdon Hosts Volley For The Cure

BY JIM CNOCKAERT
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

ABINGDON, Va. — No pep talks were needed, not for something like this.

When coaches asked Abingdon High School volleyball players last summer if they’d be willing to play one of their matches this season to benefit breast cancer research, the Lady Falcons replied with an enthusiastic and unanimous yes.

In fact, coaches say, they have been amazed at just how much determination the young women have shown in support of the project.

“The girls have really taken ownership of this,” Abingdon assistant coach Susan Abel said. “They have been spreading the word. They have been making posters. They have been telling family and friends.
“We have a great group of kids, and their reaction has been amazing.”

Abingdon will play host tonight to rival John Battle tonight in a Susan G. Komen “Volley for the Cure” match. Such matches are common in college athletics and at high schools in other states, but this will be the first such high school match played in Virginia.

Both teams will wear special pink jerseys in an effort to raise breast cancer awareness and raise funds for research. Several fund-raisers during the match are planned, including a 50/50 drawing, and proceeds will benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Tri-Cities affiliate in Kingsport, Tenn.

The five seniors on the Abingdon team say they and their teammates enthusiastically embraced the project because they understand what’s at stake.

“This is a team of all girls, with an all-woman coaching staff, and [breast cancer] primarily affects women,” Samantha Mitchell said.
“It’s cool to be part of this, because we’re all women and we all pretty much know someone who has been affected by it.”

Three of the five seniors have relatives who have survived breast cancer: Mitchell’s and Caity Merritt’s grandmothers; and, Brittany Price’s aunt.

“This is something we can do to raise awareness and raise money,” Katie McKinney said. “It’s our chance to give back.”

Abel proposed the match to Abingdon head coach Sarah Beth Mathesius after she read an article her mother sent to her about a similar match played in Georgia. She later learned that all Ohio high school teams designate one of their matches each season to “Volley for the Cure.”

Abingdon coaches sought permission from the Virginia High School League to do the same thing. Because it was already on the schedule, VHSL officials gave the OK. Also, John Battle coaches and players were enthusiastically supportive.

Abel said the VHSL might make “Volley for the Cure” a statewide initiative, beginning next year.

Mathesius designed the logo for the T-shirts the teams will wear – Abingdon girls will wear hot pink; the John Battle girls are in light pink – as well as for a banner that hangs in downtown Abingdon.

Extra T-shirts were ordered for the fund-raising effort, but they’ve already sold out. Several raffles will be held during Monday’s match, and donation jars will be set up throughout the gymnasium. There are admission discounts for anyone who wears pink to the match.

Abingdon seniors say they are proud of the fact that this match will be the first of its kind in Virginia. It is, they say, in keeping with the high standards they try to set for the program.

But this is about much more than two teams and one match, and the girls say they understand that.

“One person can make a difference,” Ashlyn Davidson said. “So, imagine what a whole team can do.”
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