Hawks best Lakers, but cancer fight was the real victor

West Bloomfield fell in four games to Farmington Hills Harrison at home on Thursday, Sept. 27, but also did its part in helping fight for a victory against cancer.

Last Thursday’s game doubled as an event known as Volley for a Cure to promote breast cancer awareness and raise money for research.

Fund-raising and educational awareness took place days prior to the game, with events including a bracelet sale, bake sale, and banners made by the West Bloomfield freshmen, junior varsity and varsity teams that included breast cancer facts and tips.

Claire Reid, co-captain of the Lakers’ varsity team, said that a banner was also made where players and spectators could add the name of a breast cancer honoree or survivor to commemorate their struggle with the disease.

She added that at the game, a blanket handmade by Kathy Ostrovsky, a mother of one of the junior varsity players, was raffled off, with the proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

All three Laker volleyball teams wore bright pink T-shirts with a Volley for a Cure logo. The shirts were were designed and donated by High Performance Sportswear, along with pink socks, shoe laces and hair ribbons, while the line judges waved pink flags during the match.

Harrison also wore pink T-shirts to support the cause.

The Hawks won the first game, 25-17, before the Lakers (7-14-1 overall, 1-2 in the Oakland Activities Association White Division) bounced back with a 25-22 victory in the second game,

But, Harrison would take the match by winning the next two games, 25-21 and 25-17.

Lakers’ setter Bri Benge had 20 assists and 4 kills, while attacker Jordan White had 8 kills and Tara Heald had 9 kills.

“We played tough all night. Harrison is very athletic and quick to the ball and we competed hard for every point,” said Lakers Head Coach Julian Wargo.

While the Lakers fell in their match, the West Bloomfield volleyball program raised over $200 for the American Cancer Society and Reid said that this inaugural event will be the first of many to come in the near future.