Brad and Heather Pfeil’s daughters Olivia (16) and Isabella (10) had played volleyball through the Collierville Parks Department for 4 years when the couple decided to coach a team this year. Brad and Heather coached girls in grades 2 through 4, while their daughter Heather jumped in as well and coached 7th and 8th graders. 

Because their girls had been in the volleyball program for a while, the Pfeils knew that there was a connection between volleyball clubs across America and the Side Out Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to funding research that will help lengthen the lives of metastatic breast cancer patients. 

“When we were told by our daughter that she selected pink jerseys for our team, we saw it as an opportunity to name our team Dig Pink, and figured out a way to donate money while inspiring and motivating our players to play their best for an amazing cause,” said Heather Pfeil.  

Dig Pink  is the name of the program started by the Side-Out Foundation to connect volleyball with support and research efforts for metastatic or stage IV breast cancer. The Side-Out Foundation was founded by Rick Dunetz, a volleyball coach in Virginia, after his mother was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. When Dunetz shared his mother’s story with his players, they played their best for him and his mother and ended up winning the championship. (Read the full story at https://side-out.org/about-us/our-story/) Their optimism and dedication inspired his mom as she fought her fight, and Dunetz recognized the magic that resulted from alliance.  

Now volleyball clubs all over America have joined in to raise money for the fight, and magic like what Dunetz experienced the year his mom was diagnosed continues to happen in places like Collierville. The Pfeils told their team that they would donate $5 for every set won, $10 for every game won, and $100 for the championship game. The knowledge that they were working for something bigger than themselves motivated the girls beyond what the Pfeils dreamed of or expected! The girls responded by giving their best at every game, and won their age group’s championship on May 11, 2021. The team’s success inspired their parents to donate as well, and the team raised $575 for the Side-Out Foundation.  

“Because of these girls’ great attitudes, focus and hard work, they went undefeated,” said Heather Pfeil, “and as a team, we became a source of hope for those living with metastatic breast cancer.”