BONNERS FERRY — After the Bonners Ferry High Badgers handed out flowers to loved ones, honoring them and the school's annual Volley for a Cure fundraiser night, senior Aspen Graham took hold of the public address microphone. 

Graham read from a piece of paper, a short but powerful speech celebrating the Badgers' head coach Cynthia Cummings, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. As Graham wrapped up and tears welled in Cummings' eyes, the rest of her team, including her daughter Samantha Cummings, ran toward her carrying flowers and gifts. 

"This year was kind of a full circle; this time last year I had cancer, and I didn't know it," Cynthia Cummings said.  

The Badgers rode that emotional opening to a thrilling 3-2 Intermountain League victory over the Timberlake Tigers on Tuesday night.

"So, coming back this year, it brought into perspective everything that my family we've gone through," Cummings said. "It was a special night to win, even just to be able to play again. I'm so thankful and blessed that I was able to approach this season, and I was just glad to be here." 

Bonners Ferry dominated the opening set, winning 25-13 behind an early rally. However, their momentum slowed in the second set, and Timberlake took full advantage. The Tigers excelled at digging and extending rallies, which put the Badgers in uncomfortable spots and led to easy points. 

At one point in the second set, Timberlake led by as much as six, but the determined Badgers closed the gap to a narrow one-point lead. The Tigers were able to keep the Badgers at arm's length, though, taking the second set 25-21. 

Much like in the second set, it was Timberlake who started fast in the third set, extending their lead to nine points early. Bonners Ferry stormed back yet again to tie the set at 23 apiece, but the Tigers slammed the door shut to take the third set 25-23 and suck the air out of the Bonners Ferry gym. 

The Badgers found themselves in another close set with the game on the line, struggling to finish kills and hurting themselves at the serving line. Yet this time, Bonners Ferry would not be denied, as a late two-point rally was enough for the Badgers to secure the fourth set 25-23 and force a fifth set. 

"I'm proud of them for battling through," Cummings said of her Badgers. "Usually when it goes to five sets, it comes down to, can you serve the ball and who wants it more?" 

On the emotional night, it was clear as the fifth set opened which team wanted it more. The Badgers scored the first point and escaped their earlier serving mistakes to extend their lead to 14-8. A spike sent over the net by Samantha Cummings was popped into the air and off the roof to seal a 15-8 Bonners Ferry victory. 

"It's the acknowledgment of mainly, especially with my daughter being on the team, what our family has gone through," Cummings said of the emotional night. "We have another player whose stepmom is battling breast cancer this season as well, and so it really hit home for us this season." 

The annual Volley for a Cure night is a fundraiser for the Bonners Ferry Women's Cancer Support Group, which brought a packed house to the Bonners Ferry High gym. 

"I really want to thank the community for coming out, of course, in supporting and raising funds for this group," Cummings said. "This community has been great for the program. We appreciate it, and I'm really blessed by everyone." 

In addition to the satisfaction of winning on this special night, Bonners Ferry also earned home court advantage for districts with the victory. The Badgers improved to 6-9 overall and 2-0 in league play on Tuesday night. 

Over the weekend, the Badgers also participated in non-league, two-set matchups at the Linda Sheridan Classic in Spokane. Bonners Ferry played four games, winning one against Rogers and falling to Sageview, Walla Walla and Colfax in a marathon day of games on Saturday. 

    Bonners Ferry celebrates during the fifth set against Timberlake on Volley for a Cure night on Tuesday.

    Bonners Ferry's Jaycee Bateman serves during the Badgers' matchup with the Timberlake Tigers on Volley for a Cure night on Tuesday.
  

    The Bonners Ferry Badgers volleyball team stands with their flowers during the national anthem on Volley for a Cure night on Tuesday.