Kim Eggleston, left, and Madi Meisenberg help arrange a table of pink t-shirts for sale during the Northland Pines volleyball Pink Night held last week. The event helped raise nearly $1,300 for breast cancer awareness. --Photo By Chris Oatman
The Northland Pines girls volleyball team played its final home game of the 2024 season last week as the Eagles hosted Antigo in a Great Northern Conference (GNC) matchup.
It was the first of their final two opportunities to win a conference game this season.
The Pines girls followed a familiar script as they played tough for most of each set but allowed their opponent to take control down the stretch, which Antigo did in a three-game sweep.
“We would get a little lead and all of a sudden fall-off,” said coach Julie Smith. “You can see when they start to spiral, and we don’t have a lot of depth so that’s just how it’s been most of the season.”
Coach Smith cited Bella Nowak, Mykala Felesena and Matanna DePuydt for their solid play during the match.
Despite the volleyball loss, it was a special night at the Pines fieldhouse. Youth and Pink Night is an observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The color pink is associated with breast cancer awareness because focus groups say it’s a color that is comforting and healing.
During the game, Pink Night t-shirts and raffle tickets were sold to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Coach Smith, a breast cancer survivor, noted that it was a special night because it touches home not only with her but with so many people we know who were in attendance.
“When it hits home it means so much more and I’m glad we were able to pull this thing together,” said Smith.
Organizers were thrilled when a total of $1,274.75 was raised to help in the battle against breast cancer. A touching moment came when the match was paused between the second and third sets and the Pines team gathered around coach Smith and presented her with a bouquet.
“It was important because Julie was out for a season with breast cancer and we wanted to raise awareness to that,” said Pines junior standout Bella Nowak. “Julie means a lot to us. Her coming back is a big deal for all of us. I was honored to be asked to do this.”
The moment meant a lot to Smith.
“It was a surprise. I was not expecting that, and it gets me emotional,” said Smith.
The Pines girls traveled to Medford Saturday for the final leg of the GNC meet.
Waiting for them were those two top teams in the GNC and the Eagles were swept by Mosinee and they lost to Medford in four games, 3-1.
Northland Pines fell to 0-11 in the GNC and 9-19 overall. Their last chance for a conference win is this Tuesday when they travel to Lakeland at 7 p.m.
The regular season ends at the Wausau West Invitational starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.
The Northland Pines volleyball team was chosen yesterday as the number 12 seed in Division 3, Sectional 3.
The Eagles first playoff game will be at fifth-seeded Peshtigo, Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.
The winner of that game will visit number four seed Kewaunee, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
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