Turning Tragedy into Triumph: BU Hosts Montreat’s Senior Night
When Hurricane Helene devastated Montreat College’s campus, it didn’t just disrupt classes and facilities, it threatened to cancel one of the most meaningful moments for the school’s women’s volleyball team: Senior Night.
For Montreat’s four senior players, this night symbolizes the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and memories. What allowed that event to go on is a great example of sportsmanship, compassion, and unity. Bluefield University stepped in to host the event, since it couldn’t be hosted at Montreat, and turned heartbreak into an unforgettable celebration. Cate Hale, a senior at Montreat, expressed her gratitude for the gesture.
“Having Bluefield host our Senior Night meant so much to me and the seniors,” Hale said, “especially the four of us that have been here for four years. We’ve planned and celebrated so many different girls (before), and we looked forward to our Senior Day all season. When Bluefield offered to host, we felt so loved. They went above and beyond to make us feel celebrated.”
For Hale and her teammates, the possibility of not having a Senior Night was devastating. Originally planned at Milligan College, logistical challenges and short notice would have prevented many parents from attending. It wasn’t until Montreat and Bluefield scheduled a tri-match that the idea of hosting Senior Night at Bluefield came to life.
Bluefield University’s volleyball team wasted no time in pulling the event together and making the moment special for the Montreat seniors. Georgia Lewis, a senior from Bluefield, shared how the decision was embraced immediately.
“Right when Buddy (Gallemore, BU’s women’s volleyball coach) told us on the bus we would host for them, I was on board,” Lewis said. “I went up to him right away, got the (Montreat) coach’s email, and sent her a message asking for ideas or suggestions on what they would want. We all got right on it.”
The Bluefield team’s efforts were evident in every detail of the celebration. From decorations to heartfelt gestures, the Montreat seniors were showered with the recognition they deserved.
“We felt so much support from Bluefield on our Senior Day,” Hale said. “It was even more special because it came from so many girls we had never even spoken with.”
For Lewis, the opportunity to contribute to such an emotional event carried a special significance, especially as a senior herself.
“My freshman, sophomore, and junior year, I was in charge of Senior Night for our seniors,” Lewis said. “I always knew how important it was for them to be honored for all their hard work, but having my own this year, I really understood how special it was.”
The event not only gave Montreat seniors a day to remember, but also left a lasting impression on everyone involved. The underclassmen at Montreat expressed their gratitude as well, recognizing the extraordinary kindness and effort displayed by their competitors at BU.
“I think we definitely surprised Montreat with everything we did for them on Senior Night,” Lewis added. “They’ve been through so much this year, so we wanted to make sure their seniors got the best Senior Day possible.”
The event showed the power of unity in the face of adversity. It reminded both teams of what truly matters in sports: supporting one another, even as competitors.
“I can’t begin to say how grateful I am to the Bluefield volleyball team for taking the time to plan a Senior Day for a competitor,” Hale said. “It was a very special day for all of us seniors.”
Bluefield University’s compassion turned what could have been a loss into a celebration of resilience, friendship, and the spirit of sportsmanship — a reminder that, even in competition, we are all on the same team.