The annual Alliance Dig Pink Invite was held Saturday, October 25, 2014. There were six teams competing in the invite that was held at both Alliance High School and Alliance Middle School. Alliance, Chadron, Sidney, Gering, Scottsbluff, and Dundy County all competed in two separate pools battling to win their respective pool to advance to the championship game.

Pool 1 included Alliance, Gering, and Dundy County. Alliance won the pool with a 2-0 record, sweeping both Dundy County, and Gering. Gering went 1-1 to finish second in the pool and Dundy County went 0-2 finishing last in the pool.

Pool 2 included Sidney, Scottsbluff, and Chadron. Chadron won the pool posting a 2-0 record. Scottsbluff finished second going 1-1 and Sidney went 0-2.

The records set up many show downs for the championship rounds. The fifth and sixth place game was between Sidney and Dundy County. Sidney had little trouble, winning the match 2-0 and placing fifth in the tournament.

Battling for third and fourth place were Gering and Scottsbluff. Gering was able to pick up the win 2-0 to finish the tournament with a third place finish. Scottsbluff placed fourth.

The next Tuesday, on senior night, the Lady Bulldogs fell to the Chadron Cardinals in four sets. The loss left the Bulldogs with a regular season record of 18-12.

In the championship match, Alliance squared off against Chadron for the third time this season. Alliance has split the season series with Chadron 1-1 this year, defeating them 3-2 in Chadron, but falling 0-2 at the twin cities invite earlier this year. Chadron got the best of Alliance, led with strong offense and serving, defeating the Bulldogs 2-0 to win the Alliance Dig Pink Tournament. The hosts, Alliance Bulldogs placed second.

Also throughout the tournament, the theme throughout the day for the student section was a purple out, showing support for Alliance High Freshman Sophia Collett who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma earlier this year.

Alliance wore purple socks, held a bake sale, and had a poster on the wall showing support for Sophia. There were many other signs placed throughout the gym as well that listed the names of family and friends who are battling cancer.

Alliance is preparing for the district tournament next week, as they have secured the number #1 seed, and home court advantage for the district tournament. Alliance will take on the #4 seed Scottsbluff Bearcats. They will face the winner of the number #2 seed Gering Bulldogs, and the #3 seed Sidney Red Raiders.

*Update: The Alliance Bulldogs fell in the championship of the District B-8 tournament to Gering. Alliance secured a wild card berth into Substate and will travel to Gretna this Saturday.