Jan. 17, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - In its first year participating in the "Dig for the Cure" national fundraiser, the University of Maryland volleyball team raised $3,304.25, the ninth-highest total of the 27 schools participating.

The money raised by Maryland ranked third among Atlantic Coast Conference schools, behind only Wake Forest and Georgia Tech. In total, $72,612.15 was raised for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

"This has been a great experience to be able to try and help a great cause that affects so many," Terrapin head coach Janice Kruger told TheACC.com. "I hope we can make this an annual event for the Terp volleyball program."

Maryland held its event at the Nov. 10 game versus Duke. Individual sponsors pledged money per dig that Maryland earned in that game, or made a direct donation.

The "Dig for the Cure" program was founded by UNC-Charlotte Coach Lisa Marston, and it has raised over $108,000 over the last four seasons. This year, schools from the ACC, Big 12, Conference USA, Pacific-10, and South Atlantic Conference participated, as well as every program from the Atlantic-10 Conference.

"It's great to contribute to a cause that is bigger than us," said Maryland freshman Christina Paul before the Duke game, according to TheACC.com. "I've just mentioned it casually to people and they've made contributions because they've been impacted by the disease ... the kindness from strangers is great to see. I'm proud that we're doing this."