The Sioux Falls Christian Girls Basketball team heads to the state tournament after an emotional game Saturday afternoon. It's the first time they have taken the floor since they lost one of their teammates in a deadly car crash.
The girls were ready to play in the Region 3A championship game as they honored their teammate Alyssa Vollmer.
"All week long our school has been through a tough week and the girls are excited and I think they are excited to play and I think they are unsure what their own emotions will be," Sioux Falls Christian Superintendent Jay Woudstra said.
Emotions ran high as the girls took the hardwood without their former guard Alyssa.
"It means a lot. It was one of the goals we had as a team and that Alyssa had. We just wanted to finish what we started and to do it for her," Sioux Falls Christian player Hailey McCannon said.
The game was rescheduled from Friday due to a funeral for Alyssa, her father James, her mother Julie and her 13-year-old brother Caleb. They all died in a car crash last weekend.
The oldest daughter Brittany was away at college at the time of the crash.
"As a school we want to support Brittany and the Vollmer family. And I think what you'll see in the game today is a lot of support for them and the girls," Woudstra said.
Sioux Falls Christian is honoring Alyssa and her younger brother Caleb by wearing bright green t-shirts. One of the styles has Alyssa's initials A.C.V. and her basketball number 22 on it. And another has Caleb's football number 24 and a bible verse on it.
"The team is also in different warm up to pay tribute to Alyssa who was on this team and played a big role on this team," Woudstra said.
As the team heads to state, the numbers 22 will forever be on the minds of fans and friends.
Sioux Falls Christian team beat Madison 63-32.
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