Three years ago the Lebanon volleyball team chose to raise money for breast cancer, with their inspiration for this coming from Coach Liz Kyger, of Ava, who was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago.
Lebanon Coach Susan Patterson is a longtime friend of Coach Kyger. The tournament is named the “Pink Fest” and the money raised from the tournament goes to cancer awareness. Eighteen teams from all over Missouri competed in the “Pink Fest” this year.
This year’s “Pink Fest” was dedicated to Liz Kyger, who is now diagnosed as “cancer free”! They chose to dedicate the tournament to Coach Kyger this year not only in celebration of her cancer free diagnoses but also because of “how she fought her fight.”
The theme of the tournament this year was “Hope… Fight Like a Girl” and Coach Patterson said they chose Liz because she was the epitome of this year’s theme.
Quoting Coach Patterson from the tournament program, “During her three year journey, Liz has lived her life by this principle and has served as an inspiration to anyone who comes into contact with her. She has used her illness as an opportunity to influence others in a positive manner!”
During the dedication presentation Coach Patterson spoke about how Coach Kyger raised $8,000 for our local “Neighbor helping Neighbor” organization. They also highlighted and congratulated Coach Kyger on her accomplishments of this past summer, competing in the Senior Olympics and bringing home a silver medal in the 10K and a gold medal in the 5K, earning her the national title, and competing in the World Masters Games placing 10th overall.
