Volleyball Tournament "Volleying Against Domestic Abuse"

Coach Deanna Rudnik, the current Lady Vikings volleyball coach at Spring Valley High School has set out to bring awareness about the issue of Domestic Violence to her female student-athlete players for the past 3 seasons.  She felt that if she could prepare her team to compete by running skill drills, then she should be able to help educate her players about having a “healthy relationship”. She wants to make sure that her young student-athlete players will know and recognize the signs and be able to reach out to available resources if they found themselves in an abusive relationship.  So, with the help of Dr. Ross, Director of Community Clinical and Educational Services, she has developed a Domestic Violence Awareness presentation which includes videos, role play, an open forum and guest speakers.  The almost constant media coverage of the domestic abuse incident within the NFL recently proves that there is always a need to educate our young women.

Over the years, Coach Rudnik has also invited other coaches and their players from Lugoff-Elgin, Ridge View, and Richland Northeast to participate in a campaign titled “Volleying Against Domestic Abuse” during their home match-ups.  This year’s campaign will be held in conjunction with the Blythewood High School Lady Bengals on October 2.  During the event, raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win gift baskets pulled together by the Lady Vikings JV and varsity squads.  All proceeds from the raffle will go to Dr. Ross’ organization to help her continue her work by educating people in order to stop the cycle of violence.

New this year, the Lady Vikings will be hosting a volleyball tournament in conjunction with domestic abuse awareness titled “Hit the ball….Not the one you love.”  There will be 13 teams coming from the Upper and Lower State in South Carolina on October 4 to battle and “volley” it out at Spring Valley High School.  The first match starts at 8:30 a.m. Admission is $6.00 for ages 5 and up.  There will be raffle tickets for 2 additional gift baskets sold at this event.  Again, those proceeds will be forwarded directly to Dr. Ross’ organization.

Please come out and show your support!