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CLASS AA VOLLEYBALL: Tigers’ season goes well beyond the court

Photo by Sam Thiel Pictured is the warmup shirt of Marshall’s Morgan Hart. The shirts are in support of SMSU volleyball assistant coach Paul Soupir, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma earlier this fall.

ST. PAUL — Sports can provide a lot of things. From long-lasting friendships between players to valuable life lessons taught by coaches, there are a magnitude of things that can be showcased within the parameters of the playing surface.

But life is so much bigger than sports and an example of that was seen at the state volleyball tournament.

Over the weekend, the Marshall volleyball team wore black warm-up T-shirts with one word on the back: “PABLO”.

The shirts are in support of Southwest Minnesota State University assistant volleyball coach Paul Soupir, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma earlier this fall.

Marshall coach Dan Westby said Paul has done so much for female athletics and they’re extremely privileged to be able to work with him.

“We talk a lot in our gym about the importance of girls athletics and how our players are not only representing themselves but young girls everywhere. Paul has done as much for female athletics as anybody and if that’s one thing that we can do, that’s not much considering everything that he’s provided,” Westby said. “The fact that we can recognize him, we’re privileged to be able to do that. He’s done so much for female athletics in the state and he’s a great guy and any volleyball program that has the privileged of having them work with their team understands that. He’s a great guy and we wish him nothing but the best and hopefully things will start moving in the right direction.”

The Tigers weren’t the only team at state showing support for Soupir. Stewartville also wore “PABLO” shirts during their trip.

Marshall senior outside hitter Bria Morris said that everyone that knows him, loves him.

“Everybody loves Paul,” Morris said. “Nobody doesn’t like Paul, he’s one of a kind.”

Senior setter Logan Sherman added that Soupir is always there to support or joke around with them and knows wearing the shirts was only a small act of giving back but is proud that they can do something to show their support.

“He’s done so much; we go to their camp every year and he’s always so supportive and he’s a great coach,” Sherman said. “He’s always over there joking around with us; he’s done so much for us, and doing this for him is just one small act. Any way we can give back to him is awesome.”

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