This year’s Dig Pink volleyball games were played on October 19 between NDB’s freshman, JV, and varsity teams and Sacred Heart Prep’s teams. The annual event is held by the NDB Athletics Department to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research and to honor breast cancer patients.

The game has been a tradition at NDB since 2014, when then-freshman volleyball player Tammy Byrne asked the Athletics Department to start the event. Byrne lost her mother to breast cancer when she was young, and wanted to dedicate a game to recognizing those struggling with the disease.

“It was a great event because it was an opportunity to get our community together to watch volleyball. We don’t have a lot of sports on campus, so this is one that is on campus and it’s a great opportunity to get everybody together and bring awareness to breast cancer,” said Athletic Director Jason Levine. “Breast Cancer Awareness Month is in October, so it fits perfectly with our volleyball schedule.”

Underclassmen who had never experienced a Dig Pink game before were looking forward to taking part in this event.

“It’s my first Dig Pink game that Notre Dame is hosting, and I’ve heard that it’s a big event and I’m super excited to see all the spirit that happens,” said freshman Hailey Degnan.

Dig Pink shirts, socks, and wristbands were sold during lunch throughout the month of October in preparation for the game. Shirts came in a variety of designs and were sold at $20, with socks at $15 and bracelets at $2 each. Funds from these sales are donated to a charity chosen by the Dig Pink Club. This year, the money will go to the Bay Area Cancer Connections Foundation.

“It’s special because it’s a really fun game that brings the community together for a good cause,” said sophomore volleyball player Julia Breckenridge.

Leading up to the event, community members could add photos of loved ones who had breast cancer to a slideshow. It was played during the game to honor those who lost their lives to breast cancer and those who fought hard to survive it.

There were students from NDB, Serra, SHP, and Mercy there to show their support. They were decked out in pink and many had signs to cheer on the players.

“This year was my first Dig Pink game. I didn’t go freshman year and it was obviously canceled last year, and I had a lot of fun,” said junior Kate Davidson. “I really liked dressing up in all pink and supporting the teams.”

All games were very close, but only JV pulled off a victory against SHP in the end, with a score of 19 – 15 from the second set. Frosh had a final score of 14 – 16 in the third set, and varsity had 8 – 13 in the fifth set.

Overall, the main goal of the event was accomplished, with the game having raised a considerable amount of money to donate to breast cancer awareness and research.