Volley for Molly Tips Off Tonight in Lexington (PHOTOS)

The third annual Volley for Molly tips off tonight at , as the Minutemen will take on the Reading Rockets and ovarian cancer.

The inaugural Volley for Molly was held in 2009, in recognition of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and in honor of former star volleyball player Molly Eisenberg, who died that October from ovarian cancer.

Once again, Ovations for the Cure of Ovarian Cancer, a national organization dedicated to research, patient support and raising awareness about ovarian cancer, has teamed with LHS and volleyball coach Jane Bergin to put on the third annual Volley for Molly.

The inaugural event drew more than 1,000 people and raised almost $15,000 and last year's volley another $24,000 for ovarian cancer research, awareness and patient programs, according to a press release.

“Ovations is honored to be a part of Molly’s legacy”, Lisa Collamore Madden, director of operations for Ovations for the Cure, said in a press release. “The years stolen from Molly’s life will not be wasted; we will do everything we can to stop this insidious disease from taking any more women.”

Eisenberg's story is both tragic and inspiring, according to her former coach. 

She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer just one week into college and, despite numerous surgeries and chemotherapy treatments, she lost her battle on October 21, 2009. She was 19.

Earlier this year, Bergin said her former player approached the sport of volleyball the same way she lived her life.

"Her positive energy and spirit was a catalyst for enthusiasm that inspired her friends, teammates, coaches, and family," said Bergin. "Through Volley for Molly, our school community discovered a love for the human spirit that we thought was once lost. Many students, teachers, coaches, and merchants, discovered that a crisis is an opportunity to pull together instead of pulling apart. This was indicative of Molly’s life. She rose above this disease by lifting others. I will always be inspired by her valor and courage while fighting this disease. We should all love and enjoy life as Molly did during her time with us.”

Volley for Molly is 4-9:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 30, 2011 at the Ralph Lord Gymnasium at Lexington High School. Tickets are $5 for students and $8 for adults and can purchased at the door on the night of the event. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

For more information, visit www.ovationsforthecure.org or www.volleyformolly.org. or email coachbergin04@aol.com.