Outdoor match to benefit fundraisers

Like many who follow the sport, Angie Kalizewski and Sarah Kipp were both tuned in and mesmerized. The two volleyball coaches watched as the dominant University of Nebraska Cornhuskers hosted Omaha at Memorial Stadium on Aug. 30, 2023. The outdoor match at the football stadium in Lincoln set the recognized world record for the largest attendance at a women's sporting event with 92,003 fans. Not long after, the head coaches for St. Paul and Norwalk started to let their minds wander. What if? "We've been working on it for over two years, just slowly putting it together to find the different pieces and parks to make it work," Kalizewski said. All the behind-the-scenes work will finally culminate on Aug. 15. Instead of the annual preview scrimmage of all grades between the two teams being in a normal gym setting, the Truckers and Flyers will play outside at Contractors Stadium on the Whitney Field turf. "It finally aligned, and we connected the dots with the right people and were able to get it done," Kipp said. "We're all extremely excited, obviously, and it's going to go toward a great cause as well." The football teams from Norwalk and St. Paul will help with the construction of the court. The Flyers host Sycamore Mohawk the night before in a scrimmage. The teams will help put down nearly 150 sheets of lumber on top of the turf, which will come from Carter Lumber in Norwalk. A cushioned court for the players will then be provided by Control The Game Sports. The indoor sports facility located on U.S. 20 in Monroeville is operated by Kalizewski and her husband, Aaron. The standards being used for the net are on loan from Cedar Point Sports Center, where both teams just finished competing in the large Summer Spiketacular on Monday and Tuesday. "It's going to take a village to set up and take down, but we're very fortunate to have so many people who are willing to help," Kalizewski said. Action begins at 4:30 p.m. The seventh and eighth grade teams will each play one set, and the junior varsity teams will play two. The fifth and sixth grade teams will be introduced at the event. The varsity scrimmage will take center stage around 7 p.m. with a traditional match. Admission is either $5 per person or a non-perishable item. The concession stands will be open while various raffle baskets will be available to win. The raffles, along with a traditional 50/50 drawing, are being organized by parents of the volleyball athletes. Proceeds from the event will go toward two places, including When Pigs Fly. The Norwalk-based organization, a resale and retail shop at 31 E. Main St., is a non-profit that supports families dealing with cancer. Funds will also go toward the Chase Rospert benefit, which will be running concurrently (4 to 9 p.m.) just across Main Street on Aug. 15 at Contractors Park. Rospert is a 2023 St. Paul graduate. The 21-year-old was recently diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, an alveolar cancer. Norwalk opens the regular season five days later on Aug. 20 at Mansfield Madison. The Flyers host Western Reserve in their season opener on Aug. 25. "The girls are so excited," Kipp said. "It's unique as it is to have two schools that share a football field in the same city, and we get to set up a volleyball court on the field. "Getting to do that and showcase their talents in front of our community as a whole in that setting is a pretty special thing." Kalizewski said it will be a nice community event, which is the main goal. "We want it to become something that can give back for both schools," she said. "And we want to do something fun before the season starts." Details on the Chase Rospert benefit include more prizes as well as food. Admission is $10 for adults and $10 for students ages 16 and younger, while children under the age of 4 are free. Dinner will be served at the 190 Akron Road facility starting at 5 p.m. Food will be provided by Rospert's Meat Market and Bone Boys BBQ. The benefit will also include entertainment, games, raffles and silent auctions. Funds raised will help support the family with medical expenses, travel costs and other needs during Chase's treatment. Additionally, a meat raffle is currently underway to assist with the medical costs. The drawing of winners will take place Aug. 16. To buy tickets, contact Becky Rospert at 567-224-8185 or Julie Schlessman at 419-706-6735. Chase Rospert was a standout football player and also wrestled for the Flyers. In 2022, he was named to the All-Firelands Conference first team and was an honorable mention All-Ohioan in Division VII. The son of Steve and Laurie Rospert, Chase graduated from the John Deere Tech Program at Owens Community College. His younger brother, Levi, is a senior on the football team this fall and is the top player returning for the Flyers.