Playing for a Bigger Cause

Erin Campbell 
Intern, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6864
E-Mail: erin.campbell@usav.org

RENO, Nev. (June 24, 2010) – The USA Volleyball Girls’ National Championships opened play on June 24 with the under-14 divisions at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nev.  Even though volleyball is the big event for the next few days, one team hasn’t lost sight of the bigger picture.

Walking through the courts, it is hard not to notice the 14-year-old girls wearing shirts with Uno written on the back. But it was not the typical U-N-O. The “O” was transformed into the pink ribbon symbolizing the study and prevention of breast cancer and below it was the slogan, “Win like a woman.”

“The original slogan was ‘Play like a girl, fight like a champ’ but we wanted something more unique,” Uno's 15 Elite head coach and Uno's 14 Elite interim coach Jacalyn Ackerman said. “One of our coaches designed the shirts and made up the slogan.”

Ackerman discussed the history behind the shirts. Breast cancer is one of the leading diseases plaguing women today. Unfortunately for the Uno Volleyball Club, this disease struck close to home. In the early 2010 club season, the club’s 16 Elite coach, Amy Larson, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Larson is one of the most well-liked and respected coaches in the club and to honor her, the club decided to make these shirts. At the Mid-Eastern Qualifier, the team debuted the shirts along with pink ribbons and headbands.

“Amy is really loved by everyone,” Ackerman said. “The club wanted to do this to support her.”

The Joliet, Ill., based club is sending seven teams to the championships, and rest assured, all seven of the teams will not only be playing for the shot at a gold medal, but for something bigger than themselves.

Click here for full the Schedule:

All Girls’ 12 Divisions: June 27-30

All Girls’ 13 Divisions: June 25-28

All Girls’ 14 Divisions: June 24-27

All Girls’ 15 Divisions: June 26-29

All Girls’ 16 Divisions: June 30- July 3

All Girls’ 17 Divisions: June 28- July 1

All Girls’ 18 Divisions: June 29- July 2

For more information on the USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships, click here.

Tags: USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships