Harborfields Volleyball Plays for Something Bigger

The Harborfields High School Volleyball Team is no stranger to playing for a cause greater than volleyball. Over the years, both JV and Varsity have played an annual “Dig Pink” game to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. They give out flowers to breast cancer survivors and honor those who have lost their battle. The team wears pink and decorates the gym to spread awareness. In addition, they do a “Go Gold” game where the money raised goes to Corey’s Promise, a foundation in honor of Corey Phelan, who lost his life to cancer. The team wears and encourages fans to wear yellow in support of the cause. During both games, baked goods are sold outside of the gym and all profits go to each of the causes.

This season, in addition to those two games, the team hosted a game against West Babylon that as Harborfields Senior Captain, Joey Greenberg put it, “is bigger than volleyball”. After the community of West Babylon suffered a horrific tragedy, a car accident that killed two teenagers who recently graduated from West Babylon. The Harborfields team handed out ribbons to the West Babylon players and coaches, and planned a bake sale in which all profits were donated to their community. QR codes were shown around the gym where supporters could donate to. Although the teams were on opposite sides of the net, the blue and yellow ribbons in both teams’ hair, showed  that Harborfields was supporting them and their community.

This game was a huge success! HFVB did come out on top, but everyone in that gym knew that it wasn’t at all about that. It was about the kindness and the support from not only the players and coaches, but the fans too. Fans, parents, and even teachers came out to show their support, dressed in blue and yellow, and wore blue and yellow ribbons that the players handed out. It was amazing to see everyone come together. "Everyone's - not just our town - probably hurting, so seeing everyone just support us…has definitely helped," said West Babylon captain Anya Edwards.  The impact that Harborfields was able to have will be remembered forever and HFVB was glad to have the opportunity to help out West Babylon in some way.