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Liberty Lancers Fighting Cancer

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Contributed by: Jack Anthony on 10/11/2007

Tuesday, October 9th was a special night for the Liberty Lancer Volleyball team and their fans. That evening's competition was a chance to match up again with the Mesa Ridge Grizzlies, who earlier in the season stopped the Lancers from reaching the finals of an early season tournament. Yes indeed, this was an important rematch for the Lady Lancers. But, far above the rematch was the fact that Liberty designated this match to raise awareness and funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. "Lancers Fighting Cancer" cause was part of a greater Colorado High School Activities Association goal to have each of the 330 participating high school volleyball teams designate a game to recognize the fight against breast cancer in Colorado. All three Liberty teams stepped up to the challenge with fund raising efforts and on this night they handed over nearly $1500 in donations to the Komen cause!

The evening started with the Lancer's wearing distinctive pink uniforms. Fans joined in likewise with pink attire and Komen Breast Cancer Awareness pink ribbons were also donned by many. The Liberty "Think Pink Week" was clearly evident. The Pink Panther would definitely have been right at home in the Lancer Volleyball Arena (the gym that is!). The traditional Pledge of Allegiance before the game was followed by Coach Kelly Sitko greeting the near capacity crowd and sharing the story behind the cause and also affirming the community and school team effort to raise such a large amount of money. Coach Sitko's enthusiasm combined with her fabulous pink coaching attire plus her Pippy Longstocking hairdo jazzed up the players and crowd. It was time for player introductions and volleyball!

What a special player introduction it was. As each Lady Lancer was introduced, they tossed a pink mini volleyball and pink beads into the crowd and presented their mom (or dad, or special someone standing in for mom) a distinctive pink ribbon pendant necklace and information card. They then trotted over to the Lady Grizzlies lined up and presented each Mesa Ridge player a pink pendant necklace. Both teams put aside their desire to get at it on the volleyball court and each athlete knew this was a truly special sportsmanship experience and a commitment to a great cause.

It was time for some action packed volleyball! Coach Karen Warnock fired up her Lady Lancers and away the starting six pink Lancers took the court. Both teams put on quite a show of skill, teamwork and intensity. KRDO TV Sports Reporter Ryan Lowen appeared with his camera and captured the game for the 10 pm news. In fact, he also visited Lewis Palmer vs. Pine Creek who likewise were celebrating their "Think Pink" match that night. The Liberty-Mesa Ridge see-saw battle raged on for four games with Liberty coming out on top 3-1. But, as the nets were taken down and all the players caught their breath, everyone knew that evening's cancer fighting cause was the victory and there was truly one winner in all in the battle with cancer.

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