Matt Wixon

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Coppell's Laurie McNamara is one of the top middle blockers in the area, a 6-1 senior who can dominate at the net. But Friday, she was tempted to let a few extra spikes get through her blocks.

After all, that would mean more dig opportunities for her teammates. And more digs would mean more money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

G.J. MCCARTHY/DMN

Coach Sherri Hankins wore pink and the Coppell volleyball team wore pink T-shirts in honor of the team's 'Dig for the Cure' match against Hebron to raise money for breast cancer.

Coppell's match against Hebron was part of "Dig for the Cure" night at Coppell's gym, which was organized by McNamara. Before the match, sponsors pledged to donate a certain amount for each Coppell dig in the match.

The final result: 62 digs, which translated into $8,995 in donations for the Komen Foundation. Money was also raised by selling T-shirts in the "celebration pink" color that the foundation uses for its ribbons, and McNamara estimated the total raised at about $13,000.

"My teammates have been so great and so supportive, getting out and helping spread the word," McNamara said. "I've been so happy with all the support. Some people who I didn't think would give any money have just given tons of money."

McNamara said she wanted to do something after hearing that Candy Sheehan, the mother of former Coppell teammate Alissa Sheehan, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She got the pledge-per-dig idea from a college event.

Coppell averages 30 to 50 digs per match, with the most digs coming in the most competitive, five-game matches. So before the match, Coppell coach Sherri Hankins joked with the players that they better not make the match go five games just to make more money.

"Shoot, there goes my idea," McNamara said.

Coppell, wearing pink uniforms made for the match, won in four games, 25-17, 22-25, 25-18, 25-23. But it was a winning night for more than the top-ranked 5A team in the area, and Hankins gives McNamara the credit for that.

"The passion she's had for this cause is just amazing," Hankins said. "It's heartwarming that she cares so much about other people."

E-mail mwixon@dallasnews.com

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