Girls volleyball: Andrean clinches share of first NCC crown

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Updated: November 16, 2011 10:34AM

HOBART — The turnaround is almost complete.

And it came in an emotionally draining match.

Andrean topped Hobart, 3-0, on Dig Pink Night — which brings awareness to breast cancer — in Northwest Crossroads Conference play in front a large, pink-clad crowd on Thursday night to wrap up at least a share of its first NCC title.

The 59ers (25-5, 10-1) have finished in the middle of the pack in the conference since the NCC’s inception four years ago, so winning the title was a big deal.

But Andrean coach Julie Wiejak also realized the meaning of the Dig Pink event and how cancer is a “real life” thing and volleyball is just a game.

“It has an air to it where as much as you are fighting for something it still has a somber effect because cancer is a big deal,” the first-year coach said. “That’s what the Hobart focus was and we were doing our best because we have things to get ready for because we’ve got a big game on Tuesday (against Highland).

“We really supported the event because we thought they did an amazing job but we had to keep ourselves focused on the volleyball part of it too.”

Andrean needs to beat the Trojans on Tuesday to win the title outright. Munster is trailing the 59ers by one match in the standings with one left.

Hobart coach Kristi Hoese hosted the 59ers in last year’s inaugural event and was pleased to work with Wiejak in planning this year’s match.

“We chose Andrean because we know they are good this year. We wanted some good competition and they gave it to us,” Hoese said.

“Dig Pink Night is an event that brings the community together to take action in the fight to end breast cancer. The main goal of this event is to increase awareness.”

“Anyone can be at risk for breast cancer… breast cancer affects one in eight women. All women need to get their yearly mammograms.”

Before the match, names of women who are fighting or have survived breast cancer were announced.