This one’s for you Casey. Dedicating the evening, which just happened to land on the first day of ALS Awareness month, to Casey Weeks, coach Kim Lakko and the Plains Trotters opened the home volleyball season Sept. 1 hosting the Loyola Sacred Heart Breakers in a match that meant a little more than your everyday contest.

A Plains High School alumnus, parent and long-time area resident, Weeks was diagnosed with ALS earlier this year.

“It was a special night not only because it was our first home game,” she said, “but also because it landed on the first day of ALS Awareness month.

“To show support, our girls and fans joined Loyola's natural color of Navy to show love and support to one of our own,” Lakko added.

Lakko said that the Trotters also cooked up some baked goods to raffle off for the occasion and raised $1,223 to donate to Casey and his family.

“It is not lost on us how blessed and fortunate we are to have the health and full capabilities to move and play a game we love,” she said. “I am so proud of these kids and the good they do on and off the court.”

Back on the court, when all was said and done, the Trotters defeated the Breakers 25-13, 25-18, 25-22 in their first official Western B match action of the season.

Bri Kulawinski floored 10 kills and three aces, adding 10 digs to pace the Trotter attack. Claire Lakko directed the action with 29 set assists besides ripping four aces and hitting another 10 digs.

Hadyn Rice hit nine kills, Aubree Butcher seven (along with 10 digs), and Mila Rivinius executed six kills and blocked two shots.

Jaycee Carr led the Trotters with 12 digs and Emery Josephson paced Plains in blocks with four.

Coach Lakko said the Trotters also swept to three set wins in the C team and junior varsity matches against Loyola.

The Trotters next matches are with District 7B conference foes at Mission Friday and at Eureka Saturday.