Demon Deacons Raise Over $12,000 for Komen Foundation
11/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 14, 2006
By Scott Wortman, Wake Forest Media Relations
The Wake Forest volleyball team surpassed all expectations in its inaugural Dig for the Cure Night held on Friday, Nov. 3. The Demon Deacons more than doubled their expected total, as the team raised over $12,000 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
By digging its way to a three-game victory over the Wolfpack, the Deacs were able to raise $12,067.05 for breast cancer research and awareness. The final total was almost 2.5 times the team's goal of $5,000.
"Our team did something special tonight, raising over $12,000 for the Komen Foundation," said head coach Heather Kahl Holmes. "We were honored to be participating in such an incredible event. I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication our players and staff put into the `Dig for the Cure' campaign."
Started in 2003 by Charlotte head coach Lisa Marston, the Dig for the Cure campaign has spread to numerous volleyball programs across the country. Wake Forest decided to join the effort earlier this fall and began collecting donations several weeks in advance of their match with NC State.
The Demon Deacon players and coaching staff solicited donations from sponsors who either pledged money per dig recorded in the match by Wake or who gave a flat donation to the campaign.
Led by sophomore Jessica Furlong, the Deacons finished the night with a total of 67 digs, their highest amount in a three-game match all season. Furlong tallied a team-high 17 digs, while three other players finished in double figures.
"Tonight was a great opportunity to give back to people who are not as fortunate as we are. It makes us more conscious of what we have and to be grateful for everything," said senior Natasha Schaefer, who finished with 10 digs in the match.
The Deacons showed their support for breast cancer awareness in more ways than just collecting donations. The team warmed-up in pink tie-dyed t-shirts and also wore pink ribbons to show support for the cause.
"Before the game, everyone was putting on pink ribbons and head bands. It was a helpful reminder throughout the game as to what we were playing for," said freshman Sally Fischer. "We were not just playing for a win but for a greater cause, and I think we definitely stepped up to the challenge."
The Demon Deacons definitely exceeded their expectations on a goal that was about more than just winning and losing. Though the amount that the Deacs were able to raise was extraordinary, it should not come as a surprise that this team excelled in giving back to others.
The Wake Forest volleyball program has made community service a priority in the two seasons under Kahl Holmes. Once a month during the school year, the Deacons take time out of their busy schedules to perform some sort of volunteer service, be it on or off campus.
During this fall alone, the volleyball team has spent time volunteering off campus at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and on campus with programs such as Project Pumpkin and Eat with the Deacs.
The Demon Deacons also plan to spend their Thanksgiving Day giving back to the Winston-Salem community. The team will volunteer at the local Salvation Army, serving Thanksgiving dinner to those who are in need.
"We believe strongly that our actions off the court affect our play as much as our training on the court," said assistant coach Jill Lytle Wilson, who coordinates the Deacons' community service efforts. "Helping others reminds us that every sprint, every weight lift and just the ability to compete at something we love are gifts we should be thankful for."
While the Deacs would never ask for anything in return, the team's community service efforts have not gone unrecognized. The volleyball squad finished with the most volunteer hours out of all Wake Forest athletic teams during the 2005-06 academic year.
Additionally, four Wake volleyball players were honored with the 2006 ACC Top Six for Service Award, which is presented annually to six student-athletes at each member institution who have been the most active volunteers on their respective campuses.
All awards and recognition aside, the Deacs are just glad to help. Be it hanging out and eating pizza with local youth or raising thousands of dollars for a national breast cancer campaign, the Demon Deacons are exceeding expectations no matter what the cause.
