At the home game against Gunn on Oct. 11, senior outside hitter Katie Hulme leapt up to execute one of the cleanest line hits all season deep into the Titans’ court, winning the point. The crowd roared.

Despite losing in three sets (25-23, 25-21 and 25-13), the final score was somewhat beside the point. The match, a special event in support of breast cancer research, drew the Falcons’ largest turnout for a game all season. The girls decorated the entire gym in pink and asked the crowd to dress in pink on Facebook.

“It was fun decorating the gym with streamers and balloons, and we got to wear pink items and the crowd did as well,” senior setter Rachel Bakke said. “There was a lot of energy and everyone was into it.”

During the game, junior libero Lauren Hansen also made several skillful digs, one-hand digs and pancakes, essentially a diving flat-handed save, saving the team crucial points on multiple occasions.

Hulme said that although the team lost, the match was against the toughest team in the league, and they made the Titans work for every point.

“I knew if we made an event out of the game, we would not only get more fans to come out but also to support breast cancer,” Hulme said. “I was hoping to get a bigger turnout for the Gunn game because they’re the best team in our league, and I knew we’d be extra inspired by the fans. We played really hard, and I think a lot of it had to do with the support of the crowd.”

The Falcons are 4-5 in the El Camino Division and are 11-13 overall as of Oct. 15. However, Hansen said that this year is a “building season” because the team has five  additional underclassmen who have never been on varsity before: freshman defense specialist Jordan Sin, sophomore middle hitter Berry Bailey, sophomore setter Hermione Bossolina, sophomore outside Danielle Moon  and sophomore opposite hitter Riya Pursai.

“Because we built such a close bond with the underclassmen, we will work better together next year,” Hansen said.