Newberry sweeps rivals at annual Dig Pink volleyball

By Dan Hardenbrook

The 20206 Dig Pink volleyball event was another smashing success, as the J.L DeCook Gymnasium filled to capacity with pink-clad fans and a standing room only crowd enjoyed an evening that has grown far beyond a game in its 18 years of existence. From the special ceremony, performances, and a pair of great games on the court, last Thursday’s edition of the annual tradition will go down as another one where two local towns came together to help spike out cancer.

Special attractions throughout the evening included special games and contests, a 50/50 raffle, the live auction of two team signed pink edition volleyballs, and a seemingly endless line of basket raffle donations. Community businesses and organizations came out to join the fundraising fight, the dancers from Peninsula Pointe put on a show with routines from two dance squads, and NHS alum Autumn O’Hare capped off the Dig Pink ceremony with a musical performance. The American Legion Post 74 Color Guard presented the colors and Newberry senior Delaney Bliss sang the national anthem.

Tahquamenon Area Schools Superintendent Shawn Tebo, herself a breast cancer survivor, was the guest speaker. Tebo was joined by Newberry’s volleyball players during her presentation and recognition of fellow survivors.

On the court, the two local schools used the big crowd and even bigger night to highlight the latest chapter in their local rivalry. In the JV contest, Newberry took the 2-0 set victory, and narrowly winning the third set exhibition.

In the main event of the evening, the Lady Indians Varsity moved one step closer to clinching a conference Championship with their latest head-to-head victory over the Lady Eagles. It came in a 3-0 straight set victory, giving Newberry local bragging rights after the volleyball sweep.

“They played great and made for a fun match for the crowd to watch,” said Head Coach Kayla Welker.

In regular season play, the Lady Indians now have 8 consecutive victories and have dropped only one single set.

Final details and funds raised through the event are still being calculated by event organizers. Both schools also sold special Dig Pink t-shirts leading up to the event, and Engadine’s Key Club hosted a Coins for Cure fundraiser where students brought in the loose change during the week. The Engadine Coins for Cure program raised a total of $1,063.93 on its own.

The Dig Pink committee thanks all local businesses and individuals who donated items or services, volunteered, and helped plan and organize the event.

“There have a been a core group of parents who have been meeting weekly since August 12 to plan the ins and outs of the event – nothing would’ve come together without them – as well as businesses and individuals who donated money, raffle items, decorations, advertising, promotions, the volunteers who collected money, sold tickets, t-shirts, admission, concessions, baked goods, those who volunteered time to help us set-up, decorate, and clean-up, those who used their personal cameras to take quality photos for us, those who baked goods for the bake sale, performers who sang and danced, speakers and emcees, refs and line judges, broadcasters, community organizations spreading awareness (and cool swag!), those who helped with the organizing and keeping track of all [everything]…the list goes on and on and on,” Welker said. “I think it is so meaningful for our players to see firsthand that even in a small community or rural area, you can make a huge impact when you come together for a shared purpose.”