Welcome to the Kennesaw State Volleyball program's Griffin's Game Page. Here you can learn everything there is to know about the team's
annual Griffin's Game, celebrating its 10th year in 2025, and help make an impact on a local family courageously battling pediatric cancer.
BUY TICKETS or SUPPORT | BUY T-Shirt | The Story Behind Grifin's Game | 2025 Volleyball Schedule | CURE Childhood Cancer
(Thanks to this year's T-Shirt sponsors - One of a Kind / Tsunami Cobb / Zaxby's Kennesaw / Mega Services LLC / Dependable Concrete Construction / CURE Childhood Cancer)
A Kennesaw State volleyball tradition unlike any other, the Owls' Sept. 11 contest against Michigan State in VyStar Arena will also be the 10th annual Griffin's Game. This year's contest will start at 6:30 p.m., as the opening game in the Kennesaw State Invitational.
This year, Griffin's Game will honor Jersey Washington, an 11-year old girl from Powder Springs, Ga.
You can donate or purchase a Griffin's Game T-Shirt at the link above. T-Shirts will also be sold at the match on Sept. 11, and there will be frequent chances to donate in-game.
Griffin's Game, A Brief History
Named in honor of Head Coach Keith Schunzel and volunteer assistant Briana Schunzel's son, Griffin, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on March 25, 2015.
During Griffin's treatment, the Schunzels received an overwhelming amount of support from family, friends and the Kennesaw State community. They, along with the volleyball program and the KSU athletic department, wanted to be able to give that same level of support to a local family dealing with the same struggle.
"In our 10th year of hosting Griffin’s Game, we are so proud of all the support we’ve given families through the years, and so thankful for the thousands of people who have helped this important cause. This is a deeply personal game for myself, Briana and our family and we love giving back after so many people helped us and supported us in our journey," said Keith Schunzel.
"This year is no different as we open our hearts, minds and wallets to wrap beautiful little Jersey and her family in our arms to love on them and give them hope in their fight against childhood cancer."
For 10 years now the KSU volleyball team has chosen a local family to honor and support in order to help with their expenses in their fight against childhood cancer. With donations rising each year, the Schunzels and the KSU volleyball program have been able to raise almost $100,000 for local families in need.
Meet Jersey Washington
Jersey was diagnosed at three years old with an aggressive and rare disease called Rose Dorfman's disease, which has now developed into Histiocytic Sarcoma. One day Jersey began having trouble walking, and after multiple misdiagnoses, her mom took her to CHOA Scottish Rite where the scan showed a large mass pressing on her spine. She had emergency surgery to remove the mass and spent the next several years in and out of the hospital to treat the reoccurring mass in her central nervous system.
In November 2024 Jersey ended her chemo treatment that she had been on for a year and a half. In January 2025 she relapsed and has been in and out of the hospital. The cancer is aggressive, and doctors are trying to figure out the best course of treatment for her.
Jersey was unable to start the 6th grade with her peers this school year, as she fiercely battles this aggressive disease. She spends most of her weekdays in physical therapy at Scottish Rite, Monday through Friday 9am-12pm to improve her strength and ability to walk, with oncology appointments every other week.
Her mom, who brings her to and from appointments, and her five siblings, who are all helping to care for one another and Jersey's seven year old sibling, need all of our support as they navigate this tough journey together.
Jersey loves to paint, and hopes to one day be able to enjoy dancing as much as she used to. Let’s rally together to lift Jersey and her family up.
For updates on Griffin's Game, as well as ways to support, be sure to regularly check KSUOwls.com or follow Kennesaw State volleyball on X(Twitter) and Instagram at @KSUOwlsVB or like Kennesaw State volleyball on Facebook.
