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 Head Coach Mark Tippett was pleased with the first year event and
the story behind how this came about is unique. "For the past three
years we have gone to the 5K that the ALS group in Emden does, as a
team. We would go run and be a part of that and raise a little money
for it. That was our first team-building activity for the season.
This year it fell on the same date as our orientation for new
students so we were unable to go. So instead of that we decided to
have a benefit night and do a game for them," Tippett explained.
The appreciative crowd from Emden certainly came out in full force
to show their support of the Lincoln College volleyball team, as
bright green t-shirts from the Emden ALS 5K from August 15th stood
out among the purple and gray crowd at the Jack D. Nutt Arena.
Several local youth who are active in volleyball could also be
spotted among the crowd, along with LCHS head coach Dawn Crawford.
In addition, many members of the various Lincoln College athletic
programs were also in attendance. Illustrating the aim of the
evening, between sets 2 and 3 of the match between Lincoln College
and Augustana College, the men's volleyball team got down on the
court to spell out "ALS," while the women's softball team lined up
to serve volleyballs at them. As each player was "knocked out" he
jumped up and ran off the court good-naturedly.
Meanwhile, during the real volleyball match on the Zurkhammer-Pickering
Court, the Lynx improved to 7-4 while sweeping Augustana College in
three games, 25-19, 25-18 and 25-19. Former Lady Railer volleyball
players Kenzie Cooper and Brighton Robbins both played an important
role in the Lynx victory. Cooper finished the night with 10 kills
while Robbins contributed 13 digs for the home team.
After the game, their high school coach, Dawn Crawford, was very
proud of both girls and their performances. "I like to come out here
and watch some kind of a product out of Lincoln High School,
especially. Makenzie really shines in the front row and Brighton
really takes care of the back row when she's out there. They
continue to obviously work hard and they are just great kids and
great teammates. Very impressive."
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Also impressive was the effort put forth by Coach Tippett, who is in
his 15th season as coach of the Lynx, and the Lincoln College staff
off the court in making the evening a success.
"I think it was really very successful. I was real pleased," Tippett
said. "The crowd was great. I'm sure we did well in between the
admissions and we were selling ribbons and we did the 50-50 raffle.
We were also selling Lincoln College team gear, so all that sales
went towards it too. It was great to raise awareness for a good
cause."
The proceeds from the evening will benefit the Emden ALS group. A
collection jar at the event brought in $540 for ALS.
If you are wanting to come out and support the Lincoln College
women's volleyball team, their next home game is Wednesday,
September 30th.
A special note: Lincoln College softball coach, Crystal Wurth,
served as the celebrity coach of the evening. Wurth mentioned that
the upcoming 2016 softball season features mainly local talent from
Lincoln and the surrounding communities of Hartsburg-Emden,
Williamsville and Athens. The team looks forward to a trip to
Florida in the spring. Another group of young athletes to keep your
eye on for sure!
[Teena Lowery]
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