Westfield Volleyball Team Takes On Scotch Plains For Breast Cancer Awareness

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Westfield High School Girls’ Volleyball Team is sponsoring its eighth annual volleyball tournament, known as “Pink Out” on Friday Oct. 7, to raise funds and promote public awareness as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins in October.

“Pink Out” was initiated eight years ago as a tribute to the girls’ Varsity Coach Bev Torok.

Eight years ago, Torok revealed to her team that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and pledged to battle the deadly disease. The team admired their coach’s unyielding spirit as she continued to work while she recuperated from surgery and endured rounds of debilitating chemotherapy. After her doctors declared her cancer-free, Torok enlisted the team’s help to bring more public awareness about breast cancer and to raise funds to fight it.

The first Westfield High School volleyball match for breast cancer raised more than $8,000, the second over $12,000, and each year since then the amount raised by the team has continued to climb.

Last year’s event raised an incredible $42,000. This year’s Pink Out event is planned for Friday, Oct. 7 at Westfield High School Gymnasium, 550 Dorian Road, Westfield when the freshmen team, junior varsity and varsity teams play against neighbor and rival Scotch Plains High School.

The Freshmen game begins at 4 p.m., the JV game at 5:30 p.m., and the Varsity game at approximately 7 p.m. A serving contest will be held after the JV game and winners will receive prizes donated from local merchants. There will also be a refreshment stand, and a tricky tray auction for baskets of prizes. In addition, breast cancer survivors will be honored in a special procession lead by Coach Torok at the conclusion of the event.

Donations to this worthy cause can also be made online through the following link: www.komennorthjersey.org/PINKO...

The event is open to the public and tickets can be purchased at the door. Anyone wearing pink is admitted free. All proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen Foundation.

— By Stacey Boretz

(Image provided: Westfield High School Girls’ Volleyball Team)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.