The Palmerton Area High School volleyball team will trade a regular match for something bigger Friday night when the team hosts “Volley for a Cause.”

Opening serve for the fundraiser, benefiting local nonprofit Raising the House, is set for 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m.

Raising the House was founded in 2013 to honor the legacy of Blaine House, a beloved teacher at Towamensing Elementary. The organization provides Palmerton students and their families with food assistance, scholarships and educational initiatives.

The evening will pit the Lady Bombers against a team of teachers and students, and junior Nina Mendes said the event carries weight that an ordinary match does not.

“It means so much because it’s such a good cause,” Mendes said. “It really helps out the kids who need it within our school and their families.”

The event draws a different energy from the team as well.

“I feel like it brings our school and our team closer together,” sophomore Lilly Rowden said.

Going up against other student athletes within the school, including their male counterparts, has not negatively impacted the team’s confidence.

“Their egos are so high,” Mendes said of her male classmates. “We’re going to humble them.”

Now in its third year, the event was started as a way to blend sports and charitable giving in the community. The inaugural fundraiser raised $2,013 for the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, and last year’s proceeds benefited the Bo Tkach Foundation, which supports OCD and mental health awareness.

“It’s been a lot of fun in the past and we know it will be another fun night Friday,” sophomore Violet Scott said.

Even for those who don’t follow volleyball, Rowden made a case for the community to show up in full force Friday.

“It won’t be like a normal volleyball game,” she said. “It’ll have more to it. It’s more amusing. There is music and everyone is out to have a good time. And it’s for a great cause.”

Admission is charged, with a basket social throughout the night. Food will be available for purchase.