Penn State students bumped, set and spiked in the rain and mud yesterday as a part of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority's annual philanthropy, Zeta Spikes.

The event, held at Delta Tau Delta, 429 E. Hamilton Ave., benefited Breast Cancer Awareness, the philanthropy supported by the national chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha and its subsequent chapters throughout the nation.

In 2004, the ZTA Foundation trademarked the phrase THINK PINK as a way to encourage Zeta Tau Alpha members around the country to dedicate fundraising activities to the cause.

"Every Zeta Tau Alpha chapter in the nation raises money for the cause," Stephanie Small, this year's Zeta Spikes philanthropy chairwoman, said.

Though many of the tournament's attendees did not participate in the actual tournament, everyone present came to raise awareness for the sorority's philanthropy.

Many people have been affected by breast cancer, Stan Stollenberger (junior-engineering science), a member of Phi Mu Delta fraternity, said.

"If we can increase awareness early then it's better than finding out about it later," he said.

The cause is very important to the members of Zeta Tau Alpha, Jess Benson (sophomore-elementary education) said.

"It affects so many people," she said. "Every member of our sorority knows someone that has been affected by breast cancer, and so we feel strongly that it's important to get more education and awareness out."

Twenty teams registered for the tournament, with six people on each team, Small said.

"I wanted to win the volleyball tournament," Jason Surguy (sophomore-economics), a member of Sigma Pi fraternity, said. "I wish [the rain] wasn't here, but it's going to make it more fun. I like mud."

Members of Gamma Phi Beta sorority dressed up to help encourage team spirit, Lauren Racanelli (sophomore-finance), a member of the sorority said. "We're calling ourselves Gamma Phi Panties, so it's funny," she said, in reference to the team members' decision to wear underwear over their pants. "It gave us spirit because we looked goofy."

The inclimate weather did affect the participants' playing abilities to some extent, Pat Bradley (sophomore-advertising/public relations), a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, said.

"We came out on a rainy day and had to deal with adversity and the mud, but it's for a good cause," he said.

For Gamma Phi Beta and the non-greek affiliated team Blitzkreid dealing with the weather eventually paid off, as they won the tournament, Small said.

Gamma Phi Beta received Vera Bradley wristlets, and Blitzkreid received donated gift certificates to Are U Hungry? restaurant.

The amount of money raised was not available by press time.