Team Supports Night to Remember
The usually green Bavendick Center at Bismarck State College was transformed by shades of pink as the volleyball team took the court for its annual breast cancer awareness game. Pink jerseys, awareness shirts, and tribute photos filled the arena as the Mystics faced Dickinson State turning the match into more than a competition.
BSC Head Coach Kyle Kuether said the event has been a tradition since before he arrived, and its purpose reaches beyond breast cancer alone.
“We want to honor not just people that are fighting breast cancer, but any type of cancer,” Kuether said.
Each year, the team highlights one guest of honor. Although the team did not have a guest this year, Kuether said the night remained meaningful because many players have personal connections to the cause.
“We’ve had girls on the team that have moms who have had breast cancer – grandmas, aunts,” Kuether said. “I think it’s personal to everybody in their own way.”
The visual details of the night reflected that personal meaning. The coaches wore pink shirts, while the players competed in special pink jerseys. Before the match, the team also shared photos and a tribute slideshow recognizing the family members, friends, and loved ones each player chose to honor.
Junior defensive specialist Brooklyn Sand said the game gave the team a larger purpose beyond volleyball.
“It allows us to think of it as a bigger reason outside of just volleyball,” Sand said. “Breast cancer affects a lot of families, and it’s cool to have a game centered around it to raise awareness for those people that are going through it.”
Brooklyn Sand played for her mother.
My mom had breast cancer about 10 years ago, so I always love playing for her,” Sand said.
Junior setter Aislyn Hogan played for her aunt.
“My aunt on my dads side had breast cancer a few years ago,” said Hogan. “It’s great to dedicate a game to her.”
Sand said the tribute slideshow allowed each player to recognize someone important to them.
“We all got to pick a special person that has meaning to us, and that’ll get posted probably before the game,” Sand said.
While the team hoped to win, Kuether said the night’s success was measured by more than the final score.
“Obviously everybody wants to win,” Kuether said. “But community wise, it’s just coming together for one night and trying to be one community instead of just people at a game.”
For the players, the match was a chance to compete for something bigger than themselves.
“Most of us have somebody that we dedicate this game to, so being able to play for them matters,” Hogan said.
As the pink jerseys moved across the court and the tribute slideshow played for the crowd, the night became a reminder that the game meant more than points on a scoreboard.
“It’s always fun to have a little more meaning to the games,” Kuether said.
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