WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross volleyball team and senior outside hitter Abbie Lane will host the program's third annual Deaf Awareness Game on Sunday, November 3 at 2 p.m. in Blaney Gymnasium.

An environmental studies major and deaf studies minor, Lane's involvement in spearheading Holy Cross' Deaf Awareness Game was featured in the 2023 Division I NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship program, which was sold at the NCAA Tournament and highlighted with a video feature by the Patriot League last year.

"My goal is to bring awareness to a culture I wish everyone had the chance to know and love like I do," Lane said. "I think it is really important as a hearing person to raise awareness about the Deaf culture and community. American Sign Language (ASL) has always been a part of my schooling, and I plan for it to be a part of me for the rest of my life!"

Holy Cross will welcome Patriot League opponent Colgate to campus for the 2 p.m. first serve on Nov. 3. The match will feature a silent first set, where fans are encouraged to cheer silently from their seats until the Crusaders reach eight points. 

150 custom keychains for the event will be given out to attendees, in addition to stickers and other giveaways.
 
Lane and Holy Cross softball student-athlete Jena Whipple will sign the national anthem and an interpreter will be present to sign throughout the entire match.

A team captain, Lane, currently ranks eighth in the Patriot League in kills per set (2.94), 10th in points (111), and 10th in points per set (3.36). She most recently reached the program's top-10 in career kills with 734 on Saturday, Sept. 28. 

Groups interested in attending should contact Holy Cross assistant director of marketing & fan experience, Bria Arseneault at barsenea@holycross.edu.

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