Brookfield Volleyball Helps Brandon 'Beat the Beast'

Brandon Zenevitch is an active sophomore at Brookfield High School. He's involved in Scouting, marching band, concert band and musical theater. 

He's also battling stage four Rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer made of cells that normally develop into skeletal muscles, according to the American Cancer Society page on Rhabdomyosarcoma.

"Despite the long days and nights spent in the hospital undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Brandon has not let the disease beat him down," the Brookfield High School girls' volleyball team said in a press release.

In years past, the Brookfield High School girls' volleyball team has dedicated one of its games to the breast cancer awareness cause. This year, the team decided to dedicate its Oct. 2 game to Brandon.

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Click here to see the full photo gallery from the BHS Girls' Volleyball Play for Brandon game.

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Students wore shirts designed by Brandon's mom, Denise Zenevitch, and recent BHS graduate Amanda Parente that share the motto "Be awesome" on the front and "Beat the Beast" on the back. A drum is featured on the shirt, a nod to the instrument Brandon plays in band.

Friends wrote encouraging messages on a poster titled, "Reasons We Love Brandon."

At the game, refreshments were sold and proceeds went to the cause. The freshmen, JV and varsity volleyball teams wore purple tie-dye shirts made for the event, along with purple ribbons and purple shoelaces. The gym was decorated with purple balloons and streamers. 

Before the game started, Brandon expressed his appreciation to the volleyball team for organizing the event and for all who were in attendance.

His mother gave her heartfelt thanks “for supporting him and loving him and just giving him the extra energy he needs every single day to fight forward and kick this disease to the curb."

Brandon was given a volleyball signed by the team and his mother was given a floral bouquet. After the starting lineups were announced, five members of the BHS chorus, including Brandon, sang the National Anthem. 

"Brookfield played some of their best volleyball all year on this emotional night," the press release noted.

Led by senior captains Carolyn Marron and Brianna D’Arcangelo, also with strong performances from the rest of the team, the Bobcats beat the second ranked Masuk Panthers.

Improving to four wins on the season, the Bobcats look to use this inspirational victory to pave the way for the rest of the season. Using the uplifting story of Brandon's fight against cancer to motivate them, Coach Daylon Wilkins believes anything is possible.

“The girls played with an energy I haven’t seen all year," Wilkins said. "I told them that if they believe in each other and fight until the end, they will be successful."

"I commend Brandon and his family for their fight against cancer," he added. "And want them to know how much of an inspiration they are not only to the team, but the whole community."

All three teams won matches and $1,003 was raised for the Zenevitch family. 

The evening was a success on multiple counts. The volleyball team members said they were thrilled to provide financial support for the Zenevitch family but also learned how they can make a difference in someone's life by the simple act of rallying around someone in need.

Video by Kay Marron