Dressed in matching pink uniforms with white trim, the ladies of the UW-La Crosse women's volleyball team squared up against conference rival UW-Oshkosh at Mitchell Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 19 for the team's "Diggin' Pink" event. The annual event raises money and awareness for women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, a disease that takes the lives of over 40,000 women each year according the Center for Disease Control.

At 1-3 in the WIAC and 5-17 overall this season, the ladies of the UW-L volleyball team, ranked seventh in the conference, found themselves as the underdogs going into Wednesday's game. The Titans of Oshkosh (ranked fifth) were even in the conference (2-2) and had an overall record of 16-12. While UW-L has control overall in matches won throughout their long history with Oshkosh (47-23), Oshkosh has won the past six times these two teams have met.

The Eagles came out strong and traded leads up until the final few points of the first set, but Oshkosh was able to hold on and start the game with a win 25-18. The story was a little different in the second. With great communication and ball movement from each of the six starters, the Eagles were able to win the second set 25-20 and gain momentum in the game. Unfortunately, that momentum was short lived as the Titans came out firing and were able to win yet another set 25-17.

With the game on the line and the pressure building, the Eagles came into set four focused and determined. Trading the lead back and forth with Oshkosh once again the Eagles were able to pull ahead and stay ahead winning the fourth set 25-15 and pushing the game into the tiebreaking fifth and final set. Going up only to 15 points the fifth set was a nail biter and UW-L seemed to have the upper hand establishing a lead of 5-2. But, as in earlier sets, Oshkosh was able to claw their way back into the game and ultimately won the set and game overall leaving the Eagles with a 1-4 record in the WIAC and a 5-18 overall season record.

While disappointing as the loss was for UW-L, the night had to be chalked up as a success.

The "Diggin' Pink" campaign was able to raise money and awareness for women dealing with breast cancer. Pink shirts were thrown to crowd members sporting the theme of the night, "Diggin' Pink." Pamphlets, leaflets and other pieces of literature were available at the doors to spread awareness and give helpful advice about the importance of early detection, diagnosis and treatment of this type of cancer.

Throughout the game, the announcer held breast cancer trivia and asked questions about the types of breast cancer, who is most susceptible to getting the disease and other statistics which shed even more light on the subject.

While tensions and emotions were high throughout the game on the court, the most emotional part of the night occurred in the stands between the second and third set. Breast cancer survivors and caregivers were asked to stand and be recognized in front of the entire crowd.

Smiling and waving, the strength and hope in the faces of each of the women standing was more than enough reason for UW-L to put Wednesday night in the win column.