by Hermela Hailemariam

The George Mason High School’s varsity volleyball team’s lost their annual Dig Pink game on Tuesday, Oct. 14, to William Monroe High School 3-0 (25-8, 25-16, 25-10). The Mustangs were communicating with one another and working decently to pass the ball, but William Monroe beat Mason 3-1 in their match earlier this season and played strong defense throughout the match, which the Mustangs couldn’t keep up with.

The Mustangs were disappointed by the loss but they were playing for more than the hope of winning. During the month of October, also known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Dig Ping Foundation works with volleyball teams around the country in order to raise money for breast cancer research and aid to those with breast cancer.

The Mustangs became involved in this event last year when Sally Karstens, then Mason’s star player, took it upon herself to bring the tradition to Mason and her former team decided to carry on the tradition each season.

This year, Casey Sheehy, a senior on the team, took charge of the event and led her team to support this cause. The Mustangs sold Dig Pink t-shirts and held raffles to raise money for the Dig Pink Foundation.

“A portion of all the proceeds made will go to the Dig Pink Foundation so that we can do our part to help end breast cancer,” said Mason head coach, Erik Healey. The Mason volleyball team made a contribution of $350 this season.

The Mustangs take on Clarke County High School next Tuesday at home and Madison County High School at Madison County next Thursday before starting the Bull Run District tournament.