Pi Beta Phi sorority has combined a love for volleyball with the desire to help low-income families by hosting the first annual Arrowspike Volleyball Tournament.

“We decided to have a volleyball tournament because of our sorority’s love of the game. We always joke that we’re a ‘volleyball house’ because we have so many girls that love to play and still play frequently on campus,” said Emily Culp, vice president of philanthropy for Pi Beta Phi and junior in marketing.

The tournament will be co-ed bracket play and will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Forker gym. Along with other prizes, the winning team will take on the ISU Women’s Volleyball Club team.

Pi Beta Phi is hosting the event to help raise literacy awareness in the United States and Canada.

“This year we decided to introduce a new philanthropy to raise funds for our national philanthropy, First Book,” Culp said. “First Book works to promote literacy around the nation by providing children in low-income families with their first book.

“First Book is committed to raising literacy awareness by providing children in low-income families with their ‘first book.'”

Members of the sorority volunteer with First Book outside of the Arrowspike Volleyball Tournament.

“Our chapter also participates in Champions are Readers, a First Book program where we read with two Edwards Elementary School classes every Friday for a month each semester,” Culp said.

Pi Beta Phi members are enthusiastic about participating with the ISU community to raise funds for their national philanthropy and are looking forward to everyone coming together for a worthwhile philanthropic cause.

“I think our Arrowspike Volleyball Tournament will be a success because our Greek community and the Iowa State community as a whole have very strong support for philanthropies and giving back to those in need,” said Moira Sullivan, president of Pi Beta Phi and senior in management and marketing.

To keep the tournament running efficiently, Kelly Pickering, Pi Beta Phi member and a member of the club volleyball team, has been involved in the logistics of it. She is looking forward to the championship game in which the top competing team will face off against the women’s club team.

“Some of my friends from the men’s team are participating, and I think they will definitely give the girls a run,” said Pickering, senior in marketing and advertising. “It should be fun and I know there are a lot of good competitors in the greek community that will make it a very competitive environment.” 

Teams of six can register for $30 and an individual player can be placed on a team for $8 at www.pibetaphi.org/iastate. Payment and registration forms can be turned in to Pi Beta Phi, at 208 Ash Ave., and checks can be made out to Pi Beta Phi. Registration is preferred by Friday.