Willow Wood - Members of the Symmes Valley girls volleyball team took some time out of their already busy schedules last weekend to raise money for a very special trip.

The team has been invited to attend a volleyball tournament in Kauai, Hawaii, in June.

"It is a real honor for the team to be invited," Volleyball Coach Becky Bowling said.

The team will leave for the four-day tournament on June 16.

After playing in the tournament, the girls will be able to do some sightseeing, making the trip an educational one as well.

Former Symmes Valley alumnus Paul Arrington, Class of 1965, coaches volleyball in Hawaii and has returned to his alma mater to hold several clinics for the team, and now the team has been invited to Hawaii.

The team has been working for eight months to raise the $13,000 needed for the trip.

So far, they have been able to raise $9,000 through various fund-raisers.

The yard sale, which was held on Friday evening and Saturday, was a part of their fund-raising efforts, where Bowling said they raised around $1,100.

The team has also sold poinsettias at Christmas, sold ads for the high school football program, held car washes, bake sales and made homemade suckers for Easter and Valentine's Day.

Bowling said the girls have worked extremely hard.

More fundraisers are planned to help the team raise the remainder of the money needed for the trip.

They have some bake sales at local businesses planned and are having a dinner theatre on May 14 during the high school drama department's presentation of "Bye, Bye Birdie." Tickets for dinner and the show are $25.

If you would like more information or would like to make a donation to the girls volleyball team contact coach Becky Bowling at Symmes Valley High School at (740) 643-0022.