RHS Hosts Annual “Spike Out Cancer” Volleyball Event Honoring Coach Tara Berkowitz

On Monday, October 27, Roslyn High School hosted the annual Spike Out Cancer games, an event uniting athletes, families, and staff in the fight against cancer while honoring the legacy of beloved coach and physical education teacher Tara “Coach B” Berkowitz, who passed away on May 8, 2025.

This year’s event supported scholarship programs established in Coach Berkowitz’s name, along with other meaningful causes, while celebrating her dedication to students both on and off the court.

The evening began with the Varsity Girls Volleyball team facing Valley Stream Central at 4:30 PM, followed by the Varsity Boys matchup against Bethpage at 6:45 PM. The night also featured a special ceremony at 6:00 PM, honoring Coach Berkowitz’s enduring impact on the Roslyn community.

“This evening is about more than just volleyball; it’s about community, strength, and honoring the people who inspire us to keep fighting,” said Varsity Girls’ Assistant Coach Kathleen Dwyer in her opening remarks. “Coach B built this event to unite people and raise awareness in the fight against cancer, and tonight, we continue what she began.”

The Berkowitz family, including Coach B’s wife Jess Valente and mother Trish Berkowitz, performed the honorary serves to officially start the event. Roslyn Cheerleaders energized the crowd, and fans filled the stands in Spike Out Cancer T-shirts.

“Together, we’ll continue to spike out cancer, the way she taught us to: with strength, love, and unity,” Coach Dwyer said in closing.

For over a decade, Tara Berkowitz served as the varsity girls volleyball coach at Roslyn High School, teaching physical education and health while inspiring countless students. Diagnosed with cancer in 2023, she continued to coach and mentor, creating the Spike Out Cancer event as a cherished Roslyn tradition. Her legacy lives on through her students, the volleyball program, and the community she brought together.