Surry Community College volleyball player Mallorie Vogler did most of her hustling away from the court this week.

The sophomore and East Surry graduate spent her free time between classes collecting money for Thursday’s Dig Pink breast cancer event and raised about $340 by asking just about anyone within earshot on campus for a donation. She also cold-called businesses for donations. Vogler, whose great-grandmother survived a bout with breast cancer, had a simple reason for putting so much effort into last night’s event.

“Because it means a lot to coach,” she said of Knights head coach Jan Marion-Kiser, whose mother, Francine Marion, is a breast cancer survivor. “Her mom is a breast cancer survivor and she wanted to make this thing big. I felt being a sophomore that we all need to work really hard and raise as much as we could.”

Playing a volleyball game in front of her mother, who tossed out the game ball, made Marion-Kiser’s night all the more special.

“It was emotional,” she said. “We’re lucky that she’s still with us and I’m thankful we had an opportunity to do this.”

Although final figures were not available last night, the Dig Pink match was believed to have raised close to $1,000.

The event gave the young ladies an excuse to act like girls. While the gym was adorned with pink posters and fans clad in a matching hue, the Knights sported pink bandannas, pink socks and even pink streaks dyed in their hair.

“We got some crazy people on our team,” Vogler laughed.

Surry jumped out to a 1-0 lead after storming to a 25-11 victory in the first game. However, visiting Piedmont College took the second game, 25-22.

“We made mistakes that game,” Marion-Kiser said. “We beat ourselves, I think.”

The Knights (12-2) regrouped and took the third and fourth sets by scores of 25-19 and 25-8, respectively, to finish off a 3-1 victory. The difference, Marion-Kiser said, was preseason All-American Megan Stanley’s play. The Surry Central grad rested the past two games, but made her presence known early and often with her trademark thunderous spikes.

“To have her back playing for us was a big deal,” Marion-Kiser said. “That got them all cranked up and ready to play tonight.”

Another player who made an impact was Cassie Durham, also a former Golden Eagle. At 5-foot-11, Durham is an asset up front because she can defend the net as well as get over opposing players for spikes. Marion-Kiser summed it up by saying, “If she’s having a good game, then we’re having a good game.”

Contact Ed Phillipps at ephillipps@mtairynews.com or 719-1921.