Western Kentucky volleyball coach Travis Hudson (left) and staff watch a tribute video for Alyssa Cavanaugh on Jan. 24, 2020, before the team's match against Bellarmine at E.A. Diddle Arena.

Alyssa Cavanaugh left a lasting mark on the WKU volleyball program.

One of the most decorated players in the program’s history, Cavanaugh was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia shortly after graduating in 2018. She received a successful bone marrow transplant from her father, Eric, on Feb. 19, 2019, but died at age 24 on Christmas Day 2020 after complications from treatment.

Last season WKU renamed the WKU Volleyball Classic the Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic in her honor. The second Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic will take place this weekend with WKU hosting Arkansas State and Eastern Illinois on Friday and facing Austin Peay on Saturday.

The event will have extra meaning this season, with Cavanaugh’s parents and other family members expected to attend the Eastern Illinois game on Friday night. According to Alyssa’s mother Leslie, about 20-25 people – including grandparents and brothers – are coming from Louisville and Lexington to attend the game. It will be the first time the family has attended the tournament named in their daughter’s honor – after being out of the country when the inaugural event took place last season.

“It still blows me away,” Leslie Cavanaugh said. “Obviously we thought she hung the moon and we thought she was the greatest thing ever. It means a lot to us that Western Kentucky – that (WKU coach) Travis (Hudson) has made an effort to always keep Alyssa in the forefront. Not only was she an incredible athlete, she had a real spirit about her. She was a big personality. She loved the game. She loved winning, she loved her teammates. It’s just very special to us that Western Kentucky continues to make an effort to keep her name out in front.

“She left the campus six years ago and they are still surprising us with things that they do in her honor.”

Hudson said it is important to remember a young lady who was – and still is – the epitome of the program.

“Everything Alyssa stands for is kind of what we want this team to be,” Hudson said. “It’s just a chance to always remember that young woman for what she gave to this program and who she was as a young woman and make sure her family understands that they are always a part of WKU volleyball.”

Hudson said he has made sure to keep in touch with Leslie and Eric and let them understand how much their daughter meant to the school and the volleyball program.

“Obviously, it has been a journey for them since they lost their daughter,” Hudson said. “No one can ever understand what that feels like. Their journey has been up and down, but we have always made sure that they understand that this is a home for them.”

Leslie Cavanaugh said the support her family has received from the WKU volleyball program has been immeasurable. Even former teammates continue to reach out nearly four years after Alyssa’s death.

“Obviously it is cliche, time does heal, but sometimes – you think you are doing great and these emotions come out of nowhere,” Cavanaugh said. “We’ve had an interesting summer. Three of her really close friends got married in the last couple (months) and two of them – Amara Listenbee and Rachel Anderson – we were invited to be at those weddings and those were both teammates of Alyssa. It’s one of those things where I know Alyssa probably would have been one of their bridesmaids. We were just lucky those girls include us a lot of the times. They think of Alyssa still and they make sure my husband and I are included in very significant moments in their lives.”

Leslie Cavanaugh said she has spoken with WKU assistant coach and director of operation Kristi Griffin about this weekend, which will include a video tribute to their daughter.

“I’m sure a few tears are going to be shed,” Cavanaugh said. “Any time we see videos or pictures of Alyssa playing at Western, it always is very emotional. Western Kentucky was very, very special to her and a very big part of her life for four years. A lot of memories were made there.”

And it is those memories that Hudson hopes can continue with the tournament in her name – just one way to showcase her legacy for her family.

“I’m sure it’s bittersweet for them when they walk into the doors of Diddle Arena,” Hudson said. “They have some incredible memories here with Alyssa, but I am sure it is hard at the same time. One thing I do know is it’s always meant a lot to Leslie for Alyssa to be remembered. This is certainly a way for us to continue to honor her legacy.”