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Volleyball team helps Habitat for Humanity

11:43 a.m., Sept. 24, 2003-- The University of Delaware volleyball team set aside its kneepads and nets in favor of paintbrushes and ladders to assist Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County in a project on Saturday, Sept. 20.

The student-athletes took part in a myriad of activities overseen by the local Habitat for Humanity organization, including the staining and painting of several fences in downtown Wilmington.

UD head Coach Bonnie Kenny said the workday was made possible by a gap in the team’s schedule that resulted from the elimination of the varsity volleyball program at Drexel University, a fellow member of the Colonial Athletic Association.

UD last played Sept. 16 in a victory over Temple University and next plays at Hofstra University on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Kenny said she saw the brief break in the schedule as a great time for the Fightin’ Blue Hens to give back to the community through volunteer service.

“We felt that this was a good way to show our appreciation for the support our fans give us and to demonstrate how thankful we are to have a volleyball program,” Kenny, who won her 350th career game earlier this season, said.

“I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of this,” UD senior Liz Ommundsen, a middle and outside hitter, said. “It’s very rewarding as a student-athlete to be able to give something back to the community that gives so much support to not just our team, but to the University as a whole.”

Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County was established in 1986 as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.

Since its establishment, the local Habitat organization has built 54 homes.

The mission of Habitat for Humanity is to build affordable housing at no profit through a combination of volunteer work, “sweat equity” labor provided by the people who will own the house and no-interest mortgages.

The organization acts in partnership with the local community as a diverse group, including individuals, partner families, faith groups, civic organizations and businesses. And now athletic teams.

“We were thrilled that Coach Kenny and her students contacted us about volunteering,” Jennifer Andrews-Weckerly, volunteer coordinator for Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County, said. “We have had many students from the University come and help out, but this is the first time in my three years here that we have had an athletic team volunteer. We hope this is the start of a long-standing tradition with the University of Delaware and its athletics department.”

Kenny said the team plans to remain active in Habitat for Humanity at the conclusion of the season and expects to have a hand in helping build a house in the spring.

For Blue Hen fans who want to catch the volunteers in action at home, UD will play LaSalle University at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, on Barb Viera Court in the Carpenter Sports Building.

Photos and article by Pete DiVito, Sports Information intern

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