MONTICELLO — The University of Arkansas at Monticello volleyball team will host an ovarian cancer awareness match this Tuesday, September 26 at Steelman Field House as UAM will face rival Southern Arkansas at 6:30 p.m.

The match-up against SAU will see the 6-11 (0-3 GAC) Muleriders face a 5-9 (0-3 GAC) Blossoms squad looking to take down its Great American Conference rival. Live video and live statistics will be available, and can be found at www.UAMsports.com/coverage.aspx.

UAM head coach Kelly Burdeau is continuing her efforts of raising funds and awareness for ovarian cancer with what is her fifth consecutive year supporting the Meme Mckensie Brown Fight Like a Girl Scholarship Fund.

Meme Mckensie Brown was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer in April of 2009 during her senior year at Starmount High School in Boonville, North Carolina. After graduation, she earned a scholarship to Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina, where she played for two years as a middle hitter for the Bobcats' volleyball team.

During her time at Lees-McRae, Brown's battle with ovarian cancer worsened. The complications effectively ended her volleyball career. She transferred to Appalachian State University to pursue a nursing degree before her courageous four-year battle with ovarian cancer ended on October 15, 2012 just before she was to turn 22 years old.

Arkansas-Monticello's Kelly Burdeau coached Meme Brown during camps. One of Brown's closest friends, Jordan Raye (now Anderson), who was also Burdeau's former assistant coach at Brevard College, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years ago and is now in remission.

"Cancer has become an unfortunate household name to this day, and ovarian cancer specifically is now such an important subject in my life," said Coach Burdeau. "Meme changed my life in the short time I was around her, and I think that cultivating awareness to prevent and find a cure is a great cause. I'm just glad to have a great avenue of getting the word out through the game of volleyball… Meme's life and the way she went about fighting ovarian cancer is something that never needs to be forgotten."

Brown is still remembered in the Boonville community for her infectious positive spirit that remained with her throughout her entire fight. The numerous loved ones she left behind started the Meme Brown Fight Like a Girl Scholarship Fund in her honor, which doubles as a scholarship given to a Starmount High School senior who plans to play collegiate volleyball and a fund for ovarian cancer research.

While supplies last, the UAM volleyball team is selling T-shirts for the cause at $10 each. Donations are encouraged. All monies raised through T-shirt sales and contributions will be donated to the Meme Brown Fight Like a Girl Scholarship Fund.

Ovarian cancer is a cancer of the female reproductive system that claims the lives of about 15,000 women in the United States every year. The color teal and teal ribbons have become representative of the fight against ovarian cancer, much like the color pink for breast cancer and the color blue for prostate cancer. The Blossoms will be wearing teal warm up shirts, and there will be teal decorations throughout Steelman Field House on Tuesday.