The 2006 season was simply described by University of West Florida volleyball head coach Melissa Wolter as "Hands down, my most memorable season."

An emotion-filled 2006 campaign laid the foundation for the UWF volleyball team to be one of the most successful women's volleyball programs in the country. How that 2006 team rallied around its head coach, supported a cause that has impacted many individuals in one fashion or another, and ultimately reached its first-ever NCAA Division II Regional, remains an inspiration to many even a decade later.

Now spending her 14th year at the helm for UWF volleyball, Wolter was diagnosed with breast cancer on Sept. 5, 2006, shortly after the team returned from a tournament in Romeoville, Illinois. The UWF volleyball team owned a lackluster 2-6 record at that point, but after Wolter's diagnosis, the team turned its season around by winning six of its next seven matches to throw its name in the hat for Gulf South Conference and NCAA Regional tournament berths.

Wolter coached all but one match of the 2006 season despite her illness. The one match she did miss, which was led by assistant coaches Nathalia Araujo and Shelby Moneer, would be a 3-0 victory for the Argonauts over Spring Hill. The win over the Badgers happened on the Sept. 26, 2006, the same day as Wolter's surgery to remove the cancerous mass out of her breast.

Coincidentally, Wolter hit a career milestone on that day, as UWF's win over Spring Hill on the day of her surgery was the 100th for the program since Wolter took over as head coach.

"Our team was incredible that year," Wolter elaborated. "That team holds a special place in my heart, and will forever for helping me get through a difficult time." The team finished the regular season 18-13 and went 1-1 in the GSC Tournament before reaching its first-ever regional tournament. The team concluded the season with a 20-15 record.

That first regional appearance would be the start of a strong trend at UWF, as the Argonauts volleyball squad has booked a trip to the NCAA Division II South Regional for 10 consecutive seasons. With an 11-5 record and 7-1 GSC mark, the 2016 team is setting itself up to make its 11th consecutive showing in the NCAA Tournament. 

The 2006 team, Wolter's decade of being cancer-free and other cancer survivors will be honored this Saturday at 3:00 p.m. against defending GSC Champions and nationally ranked North Alabama.

As a part of this upcoming Saturday's ceremony, 2006 players Jamie Nichols and Marcela Cunha will be recognized between sets two and three of the UWF-UNA match. Even a decade later, the emotional roller coaster of the 2006 season is fresh in their minds.

For Nichols, a freshman outside hitter from Crawfordville, Florida at the time, had a wave of emotion come in her direction shortly after her arrival to UWF. "She was so healthy, young and invincible," stated Nichols "After receiving the news, we all hugged her one by one, it was quiet. It was the moment that changed everything for the season, the team and the entire future of the program."

Nichols, a 2009 NCAA Division II South Region All-Tournament Team, GSC All-Tournament Team and GSC All-Academic Team selection, recalled that upon her arrival at UWF a goal like winning a GSC Championship seemed like an unrealistic request.

"The thought of winning the GSC was not even a goal we said out loud because it seemed so unreachable. The 2006 season set the bar for my next four years," said Nichols. "By the time I left, a conference title was an assumption and just the first stepping stone of the postseason."

Setter Marcela Cunha, who led the team with 7.73 assists per set in 2006 and would later spend four years as an assistant coach for the program, explained that Wolter's resilience helped push the Argonauts each day at practice, in the weight room, and in the classroom.

"Any time one of us was having a bad day or practice was hard, we could not even think about slowing down or giving up," Cunha said. "Looking back 10 years to that season and seeing where the program is today, I couldn't be more proud of how successful the team is. Coach Wolter always recruits players who are not only good players but also great people."

Although the Brazil native will unfortunately not be in attendance for Saturday's match, Naiara Fernandes, one of the program's most decorated players, served as a centerpiece in helping UWF make 2006 a monumental year.

To the tune of an eye-popping 4.82 kills per set, Fernandes provided an attack for an offense that allowed for a 9-3 GSC record. 2006 was Fernandes' senior year, but the member of the GSC All-Decade Second Team elaborated that Wolter's care for her players extends beyond their playing careers. "Even after I was done with volleyball she continued looking out for me when I needed the most. She is one of the strongest women I've ever met and will always have a special place in my heart," stated Fernandes.

As a senior, the team looked towards Fernandes and other seniors for various forms of support. "I felt that was my job along with the other seniors to keep the positivity level up," said Fernandes. "We all felt we wanted to fight and win for her. It was a very emotional year, but we worked very hard and getting to play in Regionals was an amazing accomplishment."

Although players on the 2016 roster were likely somewhere between third and sixth grade in 2006, this annual event helps conceptualize one of the strong focuses of the program both on and off the court.

"It's our signature event every year. I think our student-athletes really look forward to it," Wolter said. "They respect the fact it's about a whole lot more than pink jerseys. The added element of recognizing survivors before the match has made it real for them." This year marks the 10th annual "Pack it Pink" event.

The event has grown largely over the years, and there have been years the team has generated north of $10,000 going towards breast cancer-focused organizations. Over the past decade, the team has collected more than $50,000 to do its part in the fight against a disease has nearly 250,000 new cases per year in the United States. In lieu of tickets, the UWF athletic department will be accepting donations going towards the Pensacola Breast Cancer Association. There will also be a silent auction before the start of the 3:00 p.m. Saturday match.