High school volleyball: Kennett, Risco ‘dig pink’

Area high school volleyball teams at Kennett and Risco conducted “Dig Pink” matches on Thursday evening.

Kennett's gymnasium was adorned in pink-and-white balloons, a pink poster and pink streams.

It was all to create awareness concerning breast cancer — as well as other forms of cancer.

Kennett�s Kali Reed (9) hits the ball during a SEMO Conference volleyball match versus Cape Central dated Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, at Kennett High School gymnasium. The Tigers swept the Indians.(Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Kennett head coach Kristy Green gave a short speech on how breast cancer has impact all of our lives.

“It's a big deal for us, and for the community,” Green said. “Everyone has been affected by breast cancer, or some other cancer.”

When the Missouri State High School Activities Association allowed schools to have a “pink” game many years ago, Green jumped at the chance to have this type of event.

Kennett setter Ella Gardner gets a touch on the ball during a SEMO Conference match dated Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Gardner wore a pink shirt with a black numeral, as did her teammates, during "Dig Pink" night versus Cape Central.(Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Kennett played Cape Central on Thursday.

When Green asked everyone who has been impacted by breast cancer to stand up, fans from both schools rose to their feet — as seen on a two-minute, 35-second video on the Delta Dunklin Democrat's Facebook page.

Indian players wore pink shirts with black numerals. Players shared the microphone, telling the fans who they were playing for.

Both the Gideon and Risco teams wore pink-themed outfits for a Thursday, Oct. 5, Tri-County Conference match at Roy Hon Gymnasium in Risco. (Photo by Garrett Hicks, special to the Democrat)

Then Kennett sophomore libero Baylee Wilcut, Angela Teeter and Karen Morrow walked to the line as honorary servers.

Wilcut served for Whitney Nunnery, who is expecting. Teeter is a noted businesswoman in Kennett (Truly Posh). Morrow is freshman player Lynnley Patterson's grandmother.

Both Gideon and Risco players wore breast cancer awareness-themed uniforms. Risco wore white tops with pink numbers. Gideon players donned long-sleeved pink shirts with white numbers.

Several fans in attendance at Roy Hon Gymnasium also wore pink. Here are the scores from matches played on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 4-5.

Risco honored an unspecified local resident who is currently suffering from esophageal cancer. The man has four children, three of which have been or are currently employed with the school district — and multiple grandchildren who have been students.

“We were honored to raise money, and help out a family who has played such a big role in our community,” Risco head coach Jessie King said, “and at the end of the day, that's what matters most.”

Coming up

Both Gideon and Risco will participate in the Tri-County Conference tournament beginning on Tuesday — along with Clarkton, Cooter, Holcomb and Delta C-7.

Senath-Hornersville has drawn the No. 1 seed and first-round bye for the Bootheel Conference tournament starting on Monday in Malden.

Kennett entertains powerhouse Saxony Lutheran at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9.

INFORMATION

VOLLEYBALL

SCOREBOARD

Wednesday, Oct. 4

Bernie d. Malden, 25-22, 22-25, 25-14, 25-11

Record: Bernie, 16-8-1

Thursday, Oct. 5

Gideon d. Risco, 25-13, 25-15, 24-26, 25-21

Records: Gideon, 18-6-1; Risco, 17-10

Campbell d. Holcomb, 25-22, 26-24, 25-23

Records: Holcomb, 17-8-2; Campbell, 8-13-2

Southland d. Twin Rivers, 25-18, 25-20, 25-14

Record: Southland, 9-12-2

Sikeston d. Malden, 25-23, 25-9, 23-25, 25-19

Record: Malden, 13-11-3

Cape Central d. Kennett, 25-19, 25-13, 25-10

Record: Kennett, 8-11-4