For Head Coach Mike Bruno, the victories against West Liberty State College and Urbana University last Saturday had little to do with the profound feeling of inspiration that engulfed him and more to do with the soul-stirring rendition of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Shaylin Abrams, a talented blind elementary school student. What meant so much to him was how his team embraced the third annual Volley for Vision fundraiser dedicated to his daughter Cassie, who is legally blind, with wins, funds and public awareness about his daughter’s condition that was caused by her premature birth. “It’s my favorite day of the year,” said Bruno during a telephone interview. “It is an opportunity for me to combine my family and professional life.” Bruno reflected on that day and the team’s 2-1 week, which included another loss in the American Mideast Conference. That left them with a record of 23-8 overall and 2-2 in conference play which gives them a ranking of fourth overall. During the festivities on Saturday, the league standings would have to wait. On this day, Cassie Bruno and her classmate Shaylin Abrams from the Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind were the stars, serving as honorary team members and inspiration for the matches, which were dedicated to raise money for The Association of Retinopathy of Prematurity and Related Diseases (ROPARD). There were “per dig pledges” that piled up as the team made 56 digs against West Liberty alone as well as donations, revenue from admissions, concessions, raffles and a Chinese auction that turned the game into a celebration.”It’s good to give back to something that is so near and dear to us,” sophomore outside hitter Lindsey Oberacker said.Oberacker had 11 kills in the match, two less than senior middle hitter Ashley Zietak. Junior setter Katie Geary had 37 assists to help the team with their totally of 46 kills in the match. Sophomore defensive specialist Amanda Ardinger had a total of 20 digs to help with the win of three games to none. Point Park also defeated Urbana later that day three games to none with scores of 25-18, 25-16 and 25-12. Zietak had another 13 kills in the match followed by senior right side hitter Rachel Roddy who had 10 kills. Roddy also had seven digs and nine receptions in the match. Sophomore defensive specialist Margaret Gillooly had a team high of 12 digs in the match to help with the team total of 48 digs. The admissions and concessions from this game also went to ROPARD.Both of these wins come after a difficult AMC LOSS against Mount Vernon Nazarene University, putting the Pioneers at 2-2 and moving the Cougars to 6-0 in their conference.”The team was not collectively prepared,” Bruno said. “We were not mentally prepared.” Mount Vernon Nazarene University came out strong, and after being tied 8-8, took a decisive lead and won the set 25-17. Point Park found their stride and lead the second set 16-12, but Mount Vernon Nazarene came back and won a close second set 26-24. The Pioneers would not go down without a fight and won the third set 25-11. After being down 24-15, the Pioneers scored the next six points but the Cougars were too strong and Mount Vernon won the fourth set 25-21 to win the match. “They are a consistent team and had a lot of… plays,” Oberacker said.Oberacker had 13 kills in the match following Roddy and freshman outside hitter Chelsea Katkich who both had 16 kills in the match. The team had a total of 57 kills, but also had 24 attack errors in the match. Ardinger had a team high of 22 digs to help the defense with their total of 75 digs in the match. Mount Vernon Nazarene senior middle hitter Jackie Albrecht had a team high of 21 kills in the game to help her team with a total of 51 kills. Mount Vernon Nazarene managed only 20 attack errors in the match. “We are going to have to take care of the ball,” said Bruno about their upcoming match against an evenly matched Malone University. Malone is 5-1 in the AMC with their only loss being to Walsh University with a score of three sets to one. A win against Malone will give Point Park an advantage going into play-offs in early November. For this next game, Oberacker believes “losing is not an option.”
Volley for Vision victory
Written By Emily Myers
June 29, 2016
0