By David J. Hill<br><a href="mailto:hilld@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail David</a>
North Tonawanda, NY — The North Tonawanda girls volleyball team doesn’t need a designated month to bring the topic of breast cancer to the forefront. The lives of some current and former players have been touched by the disease in recent years.
That’s why NT will wear pink jerseys, ribbons and shoelaces at Saturday’s annual Lady Jacks Invitational. In addition to playing some serious volleyball, the Lady Jacks will be raising serious dough for the American Breast Cancer Foundation.
Many of the 20 other teams competing in this year’s tournament are also wearing pink, and some, including Lake Shore and Grand Island, have already collected more than $200 each for the event.
Lady Jacks coach Jessica Anderson is trying to arrange a check presentation to Mary Connell, a 2007 NT graduate whose mother, Joan, lost her battle with breast cancer shortly after Mary’s senior volleyball season. The invitational is unofficially being dedicated in memory of Joan Connell.
“She was a mom who was at every game no matter what,” Anderson said. “She was just a staple in the gym.”
Rose Hansen, whose daughter Sarah is a junior on the team, is a breast cancer survivor.
“The kids are really excited to do it, and not just our kids,” Anderson said. “With us, it just really hits close to home. It really fits with our team.”
North Tonawanda’s JV team already held its tournament, which raised more than $400. The booster club also has been taking donations at home matches for the past several weeks. NT players collected pledge forms for Saturday’s tournament, and donations will be accepted at the door.
Contact reporter David J. Hill at 693-1000, ext. 115.
IF YOU GO
• WHAT: Lady Jacks Invitational
• WHEN: Approx. 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday
• WHERE: NTHS gym
• THE SKINNY: NT will wear pink jerseys and take up a collection for breast cancer research.
