BY JAIME GATTON

A desire to raise money for cancer research motivated teenage boys to do something that perhaps nothing else could: Do the Macarena in front of a crowd.

The South Iredell Vikings and Woodlawn Trailblazers volleyball teams faced off in a “Spike Out Cancer” game on Wednesday to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Attendees could pledge to donate a certain amount of money for every “kill” — or unreturned spike — during the game.

The “Spike Out Cancer” concept isn’t new, Woodlawn Coach Hahna Hayden explained.

But the teams decided to add a unique twist to the fundraising effort: choreographing dances after each set.

South Iredell Coach Kerry Baker said the original idea was to have the teams wear headbands or other sports gear in one particular color to represent cancer awareness.

But then the coach hopped on TikTok and found the “The Savannah Bananas” — a popular baseball team in Georgia — and thought, “What a way to bring different cancers to the attention of others.”

The coaches allowed the players to wear gear in whatever color they wanted with one catch: They had to choose a color based on the cancer it represented.

“What a way to bring awareness to different cancers!” Baker said.

To earn even more pledges, the players, after each set, danced for the crowd. So far they have raised $1,168.70! 

WANT TO HELP?

To contribute to their efforts, visit https://pledgeit.org/woodlawn-school-spike-out-cancer-game