News and Events

press releases

Pepperdine Volleyball Battles Breast Cancer with "Dig Pink" Charity Game

Waves volleyball squad warms up in pink.

For the past several years, NCAA women's volleyball programs across the country have done their part in the battle against breast cancer. Pepperdine raised more than $800 with its "Dig Pink" match on Thursday, Oct. 22 against San Francisco in Firestone Fieldhouse.  

Donations were accepted at the match, and the money collected will go to the Side-Out Foundation, which supports health care professionals in their pursuit of practical solutions for women and men with cancer, thus enabling those affected to regain control of their lives and living them to the fullest.

"This year's Dig Pink event was the most successful so far," says Kevin Borzenski, athletic events coordinator at Pepperdine. "Not only did we raise more money this year than we ever have for breast cancer research, but the Pepperdine students, including the women’s volleyball team, took more initiative in this event than ever before."

Fans that attended the match were requested to wear pink and the first 100 students to arrive received a free pink T-shirts. The Waves squad also wore special pink T-shirts during their warm-ups. Everyone who donated received a pink Waves rally towel, and those who made at least a $10 donation received a special mini-pink volleyball. The four fans who donated the most received mini-pink volleyballs that were signed by Pepperdine's team.

What resulted was a sea of pink in the stands at Firestone Fieldhouse. "I’m really proud of the standard we set for ourselves for years to come," Borzenski says.

Unfortunately the Waves fell to San Francisco in a five-set battle. "Although the Waves lost the match, we all worked together to make this a successful event for breast cancer awareness and research. Because of that, we all won."

Learn more about the Waves Women's Volleyball team at the Pepperdine Athletics Web site.