By Chad Wingert (Contact / Staff Bio)

Originally published October 17, 2009, 03:41 p.m. EST. Updated October 17, 2009, 03:41 p.m. EST

By Chad Wingert

Sports Editor

FRANKENMUTH — It was a big night in Little Bavaria on Wednesday as Tri-Valley East’s two undefeated teams, in North Branch and Frankenmuth, collided.

However, there was much more than a volleyball game going on inside the High School gym.

The Eagles and the Broncos did their part for Breast Cancer Awareness month by using their game to raise $9,758 for Breast Cancer research.

“Frankenmuth really did a phenominal job with the event. When they asked all of the cancer survivors to stand up, it really put everything in perspective,” North Branch head coach Jim Fish said. “In the grand scheme of things, this game tonight was really unimportant. What we are really trying to teach these girls is that it’s not about winning in life, it’s about how you approach things.”

Both participating schools sold T-shirts, light Pink for North Branch and Dark Pink for Frankenmuth, that accounted for $5,658 of the donations alone. Along with the T-shirt sales at the game, there was a silent auction and many other ways to contriubute.

All of the players on both teams also did their part by playing in honor of someone special in their life who has been affected by cancer. These names were worn on the back of every athlete’s jersey.

“This is a very big event for these girls,” Fraknenmuth head coach Joanne Mahnke said. “The festivities for this event went all day long. The staff and students dress up - and we really wanted these girls to just enjoy today.”

However, with the gym covered in shades of pink, there was still a volleyball game to be played.

North Branch may have swept the Eagles in three straight sets (25-20, 25-23, 25-14), but it wasn’t that easy.

“I don’t know what it was tonight. This was not our team out there,” Fish said. “I want to give (Frankenmuth) a lot of credit though. They played well and they were not intimidated. If we continue to play like that, it will be a short postseason run.”

In the first set, Frankenmuth trailed 14-7 but rallied back to bring the Broncos lead down to four before North Branch shut the door on the Eagles. Frankenmuth threatened again in the second game, battling back from a 16-12 deficite to close the gap to just one (24-23). But again, North Branch prevailed. In the third and eventual final set, the Broncos shot out to a 10-4 lead never looked back, not allowing the Eagles to gain any ground.

Despite the early exit, Mahnke was very pleased with the play of her Eagles’ squad.

“This is the best I’ve seen these girls play all year. I’m super proud of how they came out and reacted to intensity of the situation,” Mahnke said. “We have been preparing for North Branch for two weeks now, and it was not easy. One thing I know about our team is that when we are hot, we can compete with the best teams in the state and I keep telling them that. But, tonight really proves that.”

With the victory, North Branch extends its win streak to 38 straight in the Tri-Valley East and improves its record to 48-4-2 on the season.

The Broncos were led by Katie Owens with 12 kills, and 11 digs while Jordan Fish set up 25 assists and five kills. Danika Racknor gathered six kills and five digs.

Defensively, Catherine Brusie led North Branch with 12 digs while Hailey Smillie added 10.

Nicole DeGrace led Frankenmuth with six kills, three aces and three assists.

“We had some girls who played very big tonight,” Mahnke said. “Our sophomore, Nicole DeGrace, dominated tonight and we really needed her to be big.”

The Eagles fall to 3-1 in the Tri-Valley East, 15-14-5 overall.

Thumb area volleyball fans will have yet another chance to get out and show their support during Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Akron-Fairgrove will take on Caseville, Tuesday, Oct. 27 in their own “Dig for a Cure” game.

The cost is $6 and includes a T-shirt. All proceeds will go towards the 2010 Tuscola County Relay for Life.

Chad Wingert is the Sports Editor of the Advertiser and can be reached at Sports@tcadvertiser.com.