On Wednesday, Oct. 8, the Gustavus Women’s Volleyball Team defeated St. Olaf College 3-2 at home, taking advantage of St. Olaf’s incoming four-game losing streak. The win is much-needed following two MIAC losses, putting the team at 3-2 in the conference and 8-10 overall. Entering the second half of the season with a conference win is one reason for Head Coach Rachelle Sherden’s optimism.

“The team is still moving forward and playing better each day and I can’t wait to see what they do the second half of the season,” Sherden said before the match Wednesday. But the key will be to remain focused.

“We need to take one day at a time and keep doing what we are doing and growing as a team. The team works very hard and is really starting to play well together, so we are excited about the rest of the season,” Sherden added.

The team shares that mentality.

“We take each game one point at a time and really focus on our game. Sure, we have a game plan that helps us to stop the opponent’s strengths, but if we play our game at a high and consistent level, that is what gets us the ‘W’ in the win column,” Junior Middle Hitter Alyssa Taylor said.

But the importance of this match goes beyond the outcome versus conference opponents. Wednesday’s match was Gustavus’ annual Dig Pink match to help raise awareness of breast cancer. Dig Pink events are organized by the Side-Out Foundation, which was “established in 2004 to unite volleyball players and coaches and to have them work toward the common goal of furthering breast cancer awareness, education and patient services,” according to the Side-Out Foundation.

Players, coaches, and fans wore pink during the match, while spectators were able to make donations to the Side-Out Foundation.

All proceeds benefit the foundation’s mission which is dedicated to “making a significant and identifiable difference in the lives of breast cancer patients and their families by supporting clinical trials, increasing patient support services and educating communities.”

However, focus for the team had to shift immediately following the fundraising match, with little time to prepare before their match against Macalaster College tonight.

“After we play, the coaches discuss things we did well and things we didn’t do well, and we analyze film and base our practice plans on what we need to do to get better,” Sherden said.

The team faces Macalaster in St. Paul at 7 p.m.

-William Metcalf