Volleyball Community, WCPL Show Strength In Honoring Tragic Loss To 1st Alliance Athlete
The volleyball community is kind of special in its own regard. An international sport, a sport played by thousands of girls and boys across the states participating in what is ultimately a game of reverse dodgeball or don’t let the balloon hit the floor.
Beyond the lines and net however there is something so much more. There’s a community, a family, a place where those associated are always welcome where you can feel comfortable in sharing failures with others, and ultimately always having someone to share in the celebration of success.
For the members of 1st Alliance Volleyball Club out of the Western Chicagoland Suburbs and Downers Grove North High School, a part of their family was taken from them. Beth Dunlap, a Junior at Downers Grove North and a member of 1st Alliance 17 Black was hit by a car walking to school on Tuesday, February 19 where she passed away later in the week due to the injuries relating to the accident.
A tragedy in every way. A daughter, a friend, a teammate gone too soon.
While Beth was fighting for her life, her father released a statement for Beth and the significance of the number 18:
“To those who did not know, Beth is #18 for her high school volleyball team – at Downers Grove North.
She really likes that number.
So this is what you can do for her….
Do 18 For 18.
18 Extra Sets, Hits, Sprints…”
This was not only followed by members of 1st Alliance Volleyball club, but volleyball programs across the country at all levels. Volleyball had lost a family member and through this, support was being shown from all over, but on Saturday at the Sky High Volleyball Facility in Crystal Lake, Illinois at the Windy City Power League, members of 1st Alliance would be back inaction, a place they could be around their team, their volleyball family. These athletes were now back to something that felt normal (or something close to as normal could be at this time).
Members of 1st Alliance Volleyball Club wore red #BethStrong shirts with the number 25 on the sleeve, but all the teams had something honoring Beth.
A member of 1st Alliance is about to take a set during warm ups at WCPL Saturday.Some had red ribbons in their hair, on their shoes, and flowers of support to the 1st Alliance Volleyball Club.
Then came the match. 1st Alliance 17 Silver vs. 1st Alliance 17 Black, of course these two teams would somehow play each other with Beth being part of 17 Black and many of those girls playing with or against Beth their whole volleyball careers. When the match ended in three sets in favor of 17 Silver they shook hands and came together as one. Sharing hugs, sharing tears which included athletes, coaches, and parents. There was a large crowd on Court 6 where it was ok to cry, ok to give hugs, and ok to just let It out. Once again, it’s all one big volleyball family. The girls who are 16 and 17 years old are so resilient, they are hurting, but through this incredibly difficult time they have an incredible network of support near and far.
As emotional as it was to watch the end of the match between the two teams from 1st Alliance, it reminded me of why I keep coming back to this big volleyball family. You are never alone, especially when you think things can’t possibly be worse there will always be a coach, a parent, or teammate with a high five, hug, or shoulder to cry on through all the sad or happy tears.
Hug your teammates, take care of each other, thank your parents, talk to your coaches, and always remember when you are affiliated with the game of volleyball you are part of something so much bigger than yourself. You are a part of community, a family.
#18forBeth