Filled with pink streamers and balloons, the Leeman-Turner Arena in Grace Hall was decorated for the Lehigh volleyball Dig Pink game against Bucknell.
The Mountain Hawks and Bison players took to the court with pink ribbons tied in their hair and the crowd, outfitted in pink shirts and pins, packed into the stands to watch the game.
Lehigh’s team partnered with Zeta Tau Alpha on Oct. 25 to celebrate Pink Week, the sorority’s main philanthropy event centered around breast cancer education and awareness.
Though the Mountain Hawks started with a 7-0 lead, the Bisons closed the gap and won the set. During the second set, Bucknell led, and even though the Mountain Hawks started to catch up, they lost the game. The score of the last set was tied at 19, but the Bisons took the lead again and soon took home the win.
Sophomore right-side hitter Jaidyn Garcia goes for a kill during Lehigh’s volleyball match against Bucknell in Grace Hall on Oct. 25, 2024. Three close sets saw Bucknell take the victory in Lehigh’s Dig Pink match. (Griffin Sawyer/B&W Staff)
First-year setter Kamryn Utley had a career of high 25 assists, almost carrying the Mountain Hawks to victory in each set.
She said despite the loss, it was great to play hard in honor of breast cancer education and awareness.
“Even though we didn’t get the win, we talked about playing for something that was bigger than us,” Utley said. “This is a really big event, and it’s really near and dear to a lot of people’s hearts.”
The entire month of October was full of projects aiming to raise awareness, ranging from sports games to ribbon pinning, and this project aimed to further engage the campus community with the topic.
Senior Paige Moen, the social media director for Lehigh volleyball team, said Lehigh teamed up with the HOPE Initiative, and there are dozens of other similar organizations that help support those in need.
“They have a bunch of donations or volunteer (opportunities) that you can do and just being invested in more is awesome,” Moen said.
Junior right-side hitter Natalie Luscomb attempts a kill during Lehgih Volleyball’s game against Bucknell in Grace Hall on Oct. 25, 2024. All three sets played were within four points, with Bucknell winning 29-27, 25-21, and 25-23, respectively. (Griffin Sawyer/B&W Staff)
Senior Alyssa Vandett, the philanthropy assistant for Zeta Tau Alpha, volunteered at the event, tabling and handing out pamphlets to promote awareness.
This disease is close to many hearts at Lehigh, with students who have family members and friends affected by breast cancer, and Vandett said it was cool to partner with the team to support women’s sports while showcasing the cause.
“This is our final event out of the multiple events that we did for our Pink Week,” Vandett said. “I think it definitely takes a village being someone who served as a supporter for someone with breast cancer.”
Every huddle and time-out was filled with music from Marching 97.
The Lehigh volleyball team joins for a huddle during a timeout in their game against Bucknell in Grace Hall on Oct. 25, 2024. The Hawks, who now have a 14-11 record, were defeated 3-0 on sets. (Griffin Sawyer/B&W Staff)
Vandett said people might feel hopeless, but support is a crucial component of battling such an aggressive disease.
“You can’t necessarily help them medically,” Vandett said. “But being there for them and supporting them is what I’ve seen to be one of the most important things.”
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