WEST FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Volleyball moved outdoors at The Lights in West Fargo for the second annual Landon’s Light Volleyball Invite, bringing teams from across the region together for an event centered around much more than the final score.
“We just love the crowds. We love the fact that this is something the community loves to join us in, in excitement and electricity,” Landon’s Light Foundation Executive Director Julie Christianson said. “And we couldn’t be more proud to bring this event to the community and have everybody here cheering on these girls.”
The event combines Landon’s love of sports with the mission of the Landon’s Light Foundation, which supports children battling serious medical conditions and their families.
“Landon loves sports, so anything we can do related to sports really serves our mission, and it allows us to be able to pay it forward with the families that we serve,” Christianson said. “It’s more than volleyball. You’re supporting the mission, you’re supporting athletes and doing something great that’s bigger than volleyball.”
One way the foundation supports families is through its “Miracle Moments,” designed to provide hope, compassion and comfort during difficult times.
Central Cass sophomore outside hitter Brooklyn Gjevre knows firsthand what that support can mean. Her family was among the foundation’s first Miracle Moment recipients.
Gjevre was born with an extremely rare congenital heart defect called a circumflex aorta, which caused her aorta to wrap around and compress her windpipe, making it difficult to breathe. In July 2020, she underwent a nine-hour open-heart surgery to correct the defect, with her heart stopped for 19 minutes during the procedure.
Six years later, Gjevre is playing varsity volleyball — and competing in an event hosted by the same foundation that supported her family.
“It truly does mean a lot,” Gjevre said. “I knew coming into this game how much it meant to me and how emotional it felt. I wanted everyone to come so they can donate because I know how much the Landon’s Light gift meant to me when I was going through that time.”
The outdoor setting also provided a unique challenge. Players competing earlier in the day battled the sun, making sunglasses practically part of the uniform.
“The first set was really bad. The sun even poked through our sunglasses,” Valley City senior middle hitter Nora Pederson said. “At first they kind of bothered me, but after, I didn’t notice them after a bit.”
For Valley City, the invitation carried an additional connection to the foundation.
“It’s an honor to be asked, especially when Landon’s parents were from Valley City,” head coach Cynthia Klabo said. “It’s such a cool experience for these girls. How many times are you ever going to play on a real volleyball court outside?”
West Fargo Sheyenne head coach Leah Newton said the unique environment is only part of what makes the event special.
“We love playing the game of volleyball, and to be outside makes it really fun,” Newton said. “But the bigger picture is the foundation and recognizing all the amazing things that Landon’s Light does. So that just makes it even more special than just the game.”
Sheyenne defensive specialist/libero Baylor Dinger echoed that message.
“It’s so cool playing outside, especially after all these big college teams play outside,” Dinger said. “It is fun to take part in that, and it is even cooler that it is for something bigger.”
The Landon’s Light Volleyball Invite continues Saturday with three more matches at The Lights:
2:15 p.m. — Moorhead vs. West Fargo
4:30 p.m. — Shanley vs. Fargo Davies
6:45 p.m. — Fargo North vs. West Fargo Horace
Comments