High school volleyball: Local teams relish chance to play in "Dig For Life Challenge"

CAPE GIRARDEAU — The St. Francis Healthcare “Dig For Life” tournament has grown to the point where the event needs three facilities.

The “Dig For Life” tournament began in 2000, founded by former Southeast

Missouri State University volleyball coach Cindy Gannon.

Those three venues are the Show Me Center, SEMO Student Rec Center and Cape Girardeau SportsPlex — the last located off Interstate-55.

Funded by both corporate and private donors, the tournament has provided more than 6,000 free mammograms to women who otherwise couldn't afford this screening procedure.

Friday's games will begin at 4:30 p.m., with Saturday's contests opening at 8 a.m., featuring a field of 58 teams, including some from the St. Louis metropolitan area.

“It's kind of always been a tradition for us,” Kennett head coach Kristy Green said regarding playing in the tournament. “It means a lot to a lot of people around here.”

This also allows Green the opportunity for a return to her college alma mater, SEMO.

“It's a neat thing to go back and play there since it's been part of my history,” Green added.

Admission prices are as follows: $5 for adults all evening Friday; $10 for adult admission all day Saturday; tournament admission for Saturday afternoon only is $5. High school students and younger are admitted at $4 for per day.

There will be two divisions: red and black.

Clarkton, with its record at 4-0 as of Tuesday afternoon, has been placed in Pool A (red division) with Saxony Lutheran, Bell City and Lesterville.

“Last year, we decided to play in the Red Division because we were setting our sights high,” Clarkton head coach Amy Cowart said. “We're trying to play levels of competition that make us better. We will be tested on our defense and serve receive.”

Fighting cancer is a cause near and dear to Cowart's heart; she lost her mother Pam Winchester to it right before the 2021 season.

“She was one of the biggest fans of the Clarkton Reindeer and rarely, if ever, missed a game,” Cowart added.

Gideon (1-1) will compete in Pool C (red division) with St. Vincent of Perryville, Poplar Bluff and Park Hills Central.

All other schools in the Delta Dunklin Democrat coverage area will compete in the Black Division.

• Campbell (0-3) and Southland (1-2) are both in Pool E.

• Senath-Hornersville (4-0) will be in Pool F.

• Risco (3-0) will participate in Pool G.

“We're fortunate to be able to go to Cape every year,” Risco head coach Jessie King said. “It gives us a chance to branch out and play bigger schools.”

King said playing experience in this special atmosphere is an added benefit.

• Malden (2-1) will compete in Pool K.

• Kennett (3-0) is set for Pool M.

• Holcomb (3-0) will be in Pool O.

In last year's tournament, Saxony Lutheran topped Farmington in the Red Division final while Ste. Genevieve beat rival Park Hills Central for the silver title.

In the Black Division, Bell City knocked off Scott City for gold while Puxico beat Bernie for the silver plaque.

For the complete event schedule, log onto the website: https://showmecenter.biz/events/saint-francis-dig-for-life-challenge-2023/.