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2012 Empire 8 Tournament Page

Utica, NY (10/16/2012) - The Utica College volleyball team is set to host its “Dig Pink” campaign throughout the Empire 8 Crossover Tournament at the Harold T. Clark Athletic Center gymnasium on Saturday and Sunday.  The Pioneers have teamed up with the Empire 8 and the Utica College chapter of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) to help spread awareness and raise funds to support the fight against breast cancer. 

“This is shaping up to be our biggest 'Dig Pink' effort yet,” said Utica Head Coach Nicole Higgins.  “We're excited to have all of the visiting teams and the Empire 8 on board and it all goes to a great cause.  The Side-Out Foundation is an inspiring organization and this is also a great team building experience for our student-athletes.”

The Pioneers will wear pink uniforms for all three of their contests, the coaches will dawn pink ribbons and fans are also encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness.  The Clark Athletic Center will be decked out with pink balloons, pink streamers, pink game programs and pink signage listing breast cancer awareness facts.  Even the lines on the two-court, tournament style, set up will be pink. 

SAAC will sell remembrance balloons, baked goods, 50/50 tickets, and several basket raffles will take place, with all proceeds being donated to the Side-out Foundation.  The basket raffles will range from a Halloween themed basket, Movie Night, Bath & Body, Gluten Free, Utica's #1 Fan, and each visiting team was asked to bring a basket to donate as well.

The Hampton Inn & Suites in New Hartford is providing a popcorn machine and refreshments, and it was also generous enough to donate a free weekend stay which will be raffled off as well. 

“This has really become a community event and I was thrilled to see that so many different organizations were willing to help,” said Higgins. “It should be a great weekend of volleyball.”

Last season the Pioneers rallied from a 2-1 deficit on 'Dig Pink' night to defeat Morrisville, 3-2.  At the end of last year's event, Utica was able to donate nearly $1,000 to the Side-Out Foundation. 

The Side-Out Foundation was created in 2004 to unite volleyball players and coaches in promoting breast cancer awareness. The organization allows teams to get involved and provides educational materials on how to promote breast cancer awareness. The Side-Out Foundation hopes to eventually raise $2,500,000 and it has currently collected over $350,000 towards its cause. To donate fans can go online to Utica's Dig Pink Homepage.

The Pioneers are currently 6-18 overall and they are coming off a 1-3 weekend at the Hartwick Invitational.  Utica is led by sophomores Madison Bayer (Islip Terrace, NY/East Islip) and Cassandra Manzer (Portcrane, NY/Chenango Valley).  Bayer has a team-high 147 kills and 16 service aces, while Manzer has 145 kills and 130 digs.

For more information about the Pioneers' Dig Pink event, fans can contact Head Coach Nicole Higgins at nahiggin@utica.edu or by phone at 315-223-2540.

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