The University of West Florida Argonauts volleyball team held its third annual Silent Set game on Friday to raise awareness for hearing loss.
The game was a powerful display of determination and advocacy, with the Argonauts dominating the match and winning 3-0 as spectators silently showed their support.
The event began with head coach Melissa Wolter giving a touching shout-out to assistant coach Taylor Vaneekeren, who is one of eight Americans who experiences hearing loss.
In honor of those with hearing loss, the crowd remained silent until the Argonauts scored the eighth point of the first set.
Instructions on how to cheer using American Sign Language (ASL) were projected across the gymnasium. Flyers handed out at UWF’s Field House also explained how to cheer in ASL, with large displays showing how to sign words like “cheer” and “kill.”
The atmosphere in the gym was unfamiliar, with the usual sounds of cheering replaced by silent support from the crowd.
Once UWF reached its eighth point, the gym erupted into cheers, returning to the familiar sounds of a typical volleyball environment.
The Argonauts maintained control of the entire match, finishing with a 3-0 victory, continuing their strong season.
For UWF, the win was more than just another victory. It symbolized the team’s commitment to inclusivity and advocacy, demonstrating that sports can serve as a platform for education and positive change.
