ALTOONA, Pa. – For its October 16 match against Franciscan University, the Penn State Altoona women's volleyball team held Special Olympics Awareness Night in the Adler Arena.

It marked the second "50 for 50th Challenge" event that Penn State Altoona Athletics has hosted this year. NCAA Division III National SAAC has challenged each Division III institution to have at least 50 student-athletes participate in Special Olympics events by February 28, 2019. It celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics.

At the women's volleyball match, volleyball athletes from the Special Olympics of Blair County had an opportunity to get involved throughout the evening. During pre-match warmups, the Special Olympians took the court to help shag balls for the teams. When the starting lineups were announced, the Special Olympians were recognized alongside the Lady Lions on the court. Later, between the second and third sets of the match, the Special Olympians had a chance to play a match of their own, much to the excitement of the big crowd in Adler.