By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor

These girls are tough, and they mean business. And they mean to fight hard against a tough opponent.

For the first time ever, the Dexter High School Volleyball teams are changing from red to pink all in an effort to raise awareness about breast cancer and raise funds for area families fight the disease.

The Lady Bearcats will don special pink uniforms on Thursday, Oct. 7 when they take on the Poplar Bluff Mules in a regularly schedule match. To show solidarity and to join together to fight breast cancer, the visiting Mules will also be wearing their “dig pink” jerseys.

"We are thrilled to host our first Dig Pink event at DHS to benefit area families and to raise awareness about breast cancer," volleyball coach Lauren Hutchcraft said. "We have enjoyed planning the event and are excited about the game. And we are proud that Poplar Bluff will be joining in the effort and wearing the "pink" uniforms.  We are coming together for a common cause despite our rivalry. We look forward to a great match and the opportunity to raise awareness and funds to help fight breast cancer."

Stacy Blocker is helping organize the event, and she says the evening is about more than just a great volleyball match between two great high school teams.

“We will have a silent auction before the game, with lots of things that have been donated by local businesses,” said Blocker. ”We’ll have a 50-50 drawing, there will be wall volleyballs for sale and The Ben Kruse 18 FORE LifeFoundation will have t-shirts on sale.”

Pre-game activities, including the Silent Auction, will begin at 5 p.m., and the junior varsity match is set to begin at 6 p.m. in the Bearcat Event Center.