Allegany College of Maryland Trojans women’s volleyball team participated in the inaugural NJCAA Region 20 Play4Kay Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at Hagerstown Community College in Hagerstown, Maryland. The day-long event brought together 12 teams from across NJCAA Region 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to raise awareness and support for the fight against cancers affecting women.
The tournament gave the Trojans an opportunity to compete under new leadership with a young team while supporting a regional community-impact event. Allegany College of Maryland head coach Kylie Heyne said the team valued the chance to use volleyball to support a cause beyond the court.
“It was an honor for our student-athletes to be part of an event that was about something much bigger than volleyball,” said ACM head coach Kylie Heyne. “The Play4Kay initiative reminds us that sports can bring people together, create awareness and make a meaningful difference in our communities. Our team was proud to represent Allegany College of Maryland and stand alongside the other Region 20 programs in support of women affected by cancer.”
NJCAA Region 20 Brings 12 Teams Together
Allegany College of Maryland was among the 12 participating institutions at the Hagerstown Community College event. The other programs were Anne Arundel Community College, Cecil College, Chesapeake College, College of Southern Maryland, Frederick Community College, Hagerstown Community College, Harford Community College, Howard Community College, Montgomery College, Penn Highlands Community College and WVU Potomac State College.
The event began with Jennifer Dean addressing the student-athletes. Dean, who is battling cancer and is the mother of Region 20 athletic trainer Carita Mills, encouraged student-athletes to listen to their bodies, ask questions and take an active role in their health care.
Participating college programs also conducted a free youth volleyball clinic during the lunch break, giving local athletes an opportunity to learn from collegiate players while experiencing the community impact of the event.
Sue Brugh, Region 20’s women’s director, said the event showed how college athletes can use their platform to help others.
“Play4Kay is about so much more than volleyball,” Brugh said. “It gives our student-athletes an opportunity to use the platform they have as college athletes to make a difference in the lives of others. Bringing 12 teams together for this event, and then having those teams give back to local youth through the clinic, really represents what collegiate athletics should be about.”
Play4Kay Supports the Kay Yow Cancer Fund
Play4Kay is the signature fundraising initiative of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The initiative honors Kay Yow, the former NC State women’s basketball coach who battled breast cancer for 22 years before her death in 2009.
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was established in 2007. The organization supports cancer research, quality-of-life programs, underserved populations and community engagement efforts.
Mandi Larkin, athletic director at WVU Potomac State College, credited the Region 20 volleyball programs and Hagerstown Community College for helping create the event.
“Today was a great example of how athletics can bring people together for something bigger than competition,” said Mandi Larkin, Athletic Director at WVU Potomac State College. “We are proud of the commitment shown by our Region 20 volleyball programs and grateful to Hagerstown Community College for providing a place for these teams to come together and make an impact.”
Community members can support the NJCAA Region 20 Play4Kay effort through the Region 20 fundraising page. The effort supports the Kay Yow Cancer Fund’s work involving research, quality-of-life initiatives and underserved communities.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The inaugural NJCAA Region 20 Play4Kay Volleyball Tournament gave Allegany College of Maryland Trojans women’s volleyball an opportunity to represent its program in a broader regional effort. The combination of Jennifer Dean’s message, the youth clinic and the participation of 12 teams connected the Trojans and their Region 20 counterparts with a cause beyond competition.
For a young Allegany College of Maryland team playing under new leadership, the event provided an early opportunity to support a community-focused initiative while representing the college. The tournament’s significance came from the collaboration among the participating programs and the support directed toward women affected by cancer.
Source: Original report
