ROSELLE – Everyone in The Lions’ Den was tickled pink.
The Roselle Catholic girls’ volleyball program’s fifth annual “Spike Breast Cancer” event, which featured a tripleheader against visiting Bishop Ahr last Thursday, was again a smashing success.
Even the lines on the court were pink – courtesy of some masking tape – and the volleyball used for the matches was white and pink.
In the varsity game, played in front of bleachers packed with pink-painted Roselle Catholic students, the Lions defeated Bishop Ahr, 25-17 and 25-11.
Roselle Catholic, following enthusiastic pre-game introductions, scored the first nine points of the match and never looked back as the Lions raised their record to 11-3.
“I thought it was a great turnout,” said first-year RC coach Jason Davila, who took over for veteran RC coach Don Godfrey during the summer. “The girls played great and were very excited about how much support was behind them. The students at RC really made the event more successful and motivating.”
Jessica Ciandella, a junior, led the way with 21 assists, 13 service points, including five aces, four digs and four kills.
Seniors Melissa Sporer and Danielle Franklin contributed five kills and two blocks apiece and junior Calli Scheuermann added four kills and four assists.
Keyarah Newton finished with five digs and seven service points, including four aces, and Chrissy Campanelli added four kills. All of the Lions, including Melissa Sheehan, Sue Riley, Amanda Coccia and Ally Mooczek, saw significant action and contributed to the victory.
And in her first extended court time of the season, senior Brianna Fleming registered three aces and a total of four service points. Battling an injured knee, Fleming’s appearance on the court inspired the crowd and her teammates.
“The team was playing so well, it afforded me the opportunity to put Brianna in for a few points,” Davila said. “It was great. The smile on her and the team’s faces was priceless.”
All three teams from both schools wore different shades of pink T-shirts for Thursday night’s games. Most spectators sported some shade of pink clothing, while many students painted part of their bodies pink.
Proceeds from the event, which included the raffling off of donated gift baskets and the selling of desserts made and delivered by families of both schools, will be donated to a breast cancer-related charity.
In the sub-varsity action, Bishop Ahr won both the freshman and junior varsity matches. The frosh and JV matches both went three games, which made for more volleyball action for all to enjoy for a good cause.
Roselle Catholic, the second seed, hosts seventh-seeded Rahway Friday at 5 p.m. in one of four Union County Tournament quarterfinal matches at the higher seed. The Lions reached the semfinals a year ago.
A potential semifinal showdown vs. third-seeded and three-time defending champion Union Catholic looms.
“I can only hope to have the same turnout for our county tournament matches,” the RC coach said.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHARLIE SCHEUERMANN:
The 5th annual “Spike Breast Cancer” event at Roselle Catholic last week saw the host Roselle Catholic Lion varsity team defeat Bishop Ahr for its 11th victory.