‘Pink Out’ match more than a volleyball game. Golden Valley honors one of its own.

Former Golden Valley High volleyball coach Matt Thissen purchased pink jerseys four years ago for the team to wear during October to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The jerseys never meant as much as they did on Tuesday night.

Golden Valley hosted a “Pink Out” game against Merced. Both teams wore pink jerseys as Golden Valley honored its school nurse Tamara Simmons, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Tonight was really special,” said Golden Valley senior Naomi Jackson. “This didn’t feel like a normal game. There was a lot more energy. There was a lot more life in the gym.”

The Cougars (11-17, 1-5 Central California Conference) swept Merced 25-15, 25-22, 25-17 for their first conference win, but Tuesday night was more than a volleyball game. It was about a campus coming together for one of their own.

“I think it made us want to win more because we were actually playing for someone,” said Golden Valley senior middleblocker Gillian Gong, who led GV with 12 kills. “She’s a part of the Cougar family. Everyone was here tonight to support her. It made us want to play for her.

“It’s made us come together as a family. That’s why the football team was here. That’s why the basketball team was here. That’s why the soccer team was here. Everybody showed up tonight.”

There were signs hanging throughout Cougar Arena that read “#TamaraStrong,” “We love you Tamara!” and “Never give up!”

Many students, faculty and other coaches wore pink shirts that said #TAMARASTRONG.

It was Golden Valley volleyball coach Kelly Leonardo who came up with the idea to honor Simmons and she received plenty of help from students, athletes and other staff members.

“All week the students have been amazing,” Leonardo said. “I’ve had students come to my room and help out with ideas of what we could do. The boosters bought pizza for all the students. The football coaches provided shirts. When coach (Dennis) Stubbs sent me an e-mail saying they wanted to help out and make shirts, it almost brought tears to my eyes. This was a total group effort.”

There were donations collected at the door. The volleyball program is sending all the donations, proceeds from the concession stand and shirt sales to Simmons and her family.

“It’s the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and unfortunately one of our family members is going through a tough time,” Leonardo said. “We wanted to bring all the students and the community here and make this a family affair. It was really amazing. Hopefully we can send some positivity her way and let her know we’ve got her back.”

Both teams came in looking for their first CCC win, but Golden Valley controlled the match throughout. Zoya Wood finished with 31 assists for the Cougars. Hannah Borges and Jackson also contributed with three aces.

“It’s been a hard season,” Leonardo said. “You can’t go up without hitting rock bottom and we’ve definitely hit rock bottom. The girls understand we’ve got to go up. They’ve been practicing hard. I think the second half is going to be a lot more fun, a lot more entertaining.”

Buhach Colony 3, Atwater 0 in Atwater – The Thunder swept the Falcons 25-18, 25-14, 25-7 to improve to 4-2 in the CCC. Camery Gray led BC with 11 kills and 12 digs. Mallory Pazin added 22 assists and six aces for the Thunder.

This story was originally published October 3, 2017 at 8:47 PM with the headline "‘Pink Out’ match more than a volleyball game. Golden Valley honors one of its own.."