PINE GROVE, PA. (September 28, 2009) – With heavy hearts, the Kutztown University volleyball team defeated Berks County neighbor Alvernia University, 3-0, in a match that honored former KU standout Shannon Sullivan Monday evening at Pine Grove Middle School.
While the Golden Bears flashed a few smiles and got back on the winning track, the bigger purpose of Monday's contest was to reflect and honor Sullivan, who was killed in a car accident in August 2006. Kutztown improved to 7-6 overall by winning the fund raiser for the annual Sullivan scholarship, 25-4, 25-6, 25-7.
Leading Kutztown was sophomore Katie Lutz (Greencastle, PA/Greencastle Antrim) (Greencastle/Greencastle Antrim) and freshman Brittany Harman (Hanover, PA/South Western) (Hanover/Southwestern) with seven kills each. Freshman Dana Wright (Warminster, PA/Saint Basil Academy) (Warminster/St. Basil Academy) had 19 assists. Junior Lindsay Confer (Wingate, PA/Bald Eagle) (Wingate/Bald Eagle) finished with five digs and five kills. Sophomore Lindsey Smith (Hanover, PA/Delone Catholic) (Hanover/Delone Catholic) had a team best eight digs for the Golden Bears. Overall, nine players recorded at least one kill.
The game had special meaning for junior Jamie Celia (Douglassville, PA/Daniel Boone) (Douglassville/Daniel Boone), this year's Sullivan award winner. Celia played one game and finished with four digs against Alvernia. However, her thoughts were on Sullivan throughout the match.
“It meant to me to be named the scholarship award winner because everybody speaks so highly of her,” Celia said. “To be considered to have some of the same qualities that she exhibited really means everything to me. I just hope that I am able to live up to her legacy.”
Veteran Kutztown volleyball coach John Gump speaks of Sullivan often during team gatherings, matches and just in general conversation. Although many of the players on the team have never personally met Sullivan, they all feel a special connection and bond with her family. That spirit was on display Monday night inside of the sold-out Pine Grove gym.
Many fans wore either a black or pink T-shirt with the words “Be A Hugger” above a volleyball and “Not A Slugger” below it. The Kutztown players wore pink T-shirts instead of its typical jersey's. The winner of the 50-50 raffle donated the prize money back to the scholarship fund. Even the Pine Grove Cardinal mascot entertained the fans as loud music filled the compact facility.
“Seeing everybody come out and support this event, makes you realize why you are here,” Celia said. “It's nice to play here where (Shannon) played. It definitely felt like we all had a piece of Shannon while we were here. Coach tells us stories all the time and I've had a chance to meet the Sullivan's and they are some of the strongest people I know.”
Confer was last year's award winner. She has stayed in touch with the Sullivan's throughout the year. The scholarship is awarded annually to a member of the KU volleyball team who demonstrates the following characteristics: passion for the sport, love for her teammates, and commitment to academic achievement, integrity and strength of character.
“She is fun to be around,” senior Katie Miller (Elizabethtown, PA/Elizabethtown) said about Celia. “She's a person who you can always go to if you have a problem. She is a really strong all-around player and a leader on and off the court.”
Celia has played a multitude of positions during her time at Kutztown. She has thrived everywhere. Among the league leaders in service aces per game, Celia was a setter last season and this year, she is back at her natural position of libero and defensive wizard.
“This game and the scholarship are real important to me,” Gump said. “Jamie is an excellent student and very focused. She is always willing to do anything to help the team.”
Following the match, the KU players flashed smiles as wide as the Susquehanna River while posing for photos with Sullivan's parents eating brownies, and chatting with friends and family.
Kutztown begins an incredible stretch of 10-consecutive home matches versus Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) schools starting with West Chester University on Friday night beginning at 7 p.m.
“This is a special event to be a part of,” Miller said. “You can tell by listening to coach talk about Shannon how much this event means to him. It's great that everybody came out to see us play and show support. For us, it was important to spend some time with the Sullivans.”
