If you watch indoor volleyball, you'll see players diving everywhere to keep points. At Notre Dame Prep, just outside of Niles, that player is Caden Frawley.
“If I wasn't wearing pants, I'd be showing you how scraped and bruised my knees are right now,” Flory says proudly.
That's the life of a libero, an on-court defensive specialist and quarterback. Frawley is in his third season as the Dons' starting libero, and head coach Peter Maniscalco considers him one of the best players in the state, but it's not just his playing ability.
“[He] We all want to be better, care about others, and see the good in others,” says Maniscalco. “He is a natural leader and always has been since the beginning.”
The senior has proven that all spring, and he's willing to sacrifice cuts and bruises for the greater good. Frawley came up with the heartwarming idea to honor her Aunt Mare and several others in the community who recently passed away from cancer. For every dig he made, he would donate money to the American Cancer Society.
“It's $1 for every dig,” says the 18-year-old. “I feel like I can do pretty well in that area of getting digs at libero. I feel like I can be successful in that, and every dollar seemed like a good amount.”
“Every time he finds himself in a difficult situation, [dig] On defense, the guys on the bench are screaming, 'That's a dollar, that's a dollar,' and that motivates them,'' Maniscalco said.
Maniscalco plans to match the final donation, and seven other area residents, including rival coaches, have agreed to make similar contributions. This support means a lot to Flory.
“Knowing that there are other people who have donated the same amount as me, or even donated the entire amount, shows that there are still people who want to be a part of this effort. “It means a lot to me to know that,” he says. After graduation, Flory will attend university in Marquette.
With the Dons' season coming to an end, Frawley currently tallies 262 digs, and each one is well worth the bruises and scrapes.
“If I can touch that and know in my heart that I might get an extra dollar, it makes my heart a little more full.”
