Students joined together on the Dedman Center’s sand volleyball courts Saturday afternoon as part of Pi Beta Phi’s philanthropy event, Arrowspike.

“It’s a great way to kick-off spring,” junior Pi Phi Rachael Borne said. “It’s fun to be outdoors and raise money for a good cause.”

Arrowspike, a bracket-style sand volleyball tournament, raised money and awareness for the First Book literacy initiative.

First Book is a non-profit organization that works to provide access to books to children of low-income or otherwise disadvantaged families.

This year, Pi Phi hosted a book drive leading up to Arrowspike as a way to get all fraternities and sororities involved in the cause.

However, many non-Greeks also participated by donating and forming sand volleyball teams.

At the time of publication, the final count of books donated was unknown.

This year, Pi Phi raised approximately $6,880 in donations and 16 teams participated.

The event also doubled as a costume showcase with team costumes ranging from American flag swim trunks to bunny ear headbands and white loofah sponges safety-pinned to the backs of swim trunks.

Many participants enjoy Arrowspike because it unites the Greek community. This year, even a group of Pi Phi’s from TCU participated.

Sydney Smith, a first-year Pi Phi, said, “Arrowspike is a great way to get all the Greeks together, and it benefits a good cause, so it’s especially great to see so many people out here participating.”

Ramon Trespalacios, a Sigma Phi Epsilon, agreed.

“What I love about Arrowspike is that it brings together all the Greek life,” he said. “Philanthropy breaks down the friendly rivalries.”

This year, Sig Ep had two teams participate.

In one game in the semi-final round both Sig Ep teams had to compete against one another. SigEp won and advanced to the finals.

The final game came down to Sig Ep and Fiji.

Fiji took home the prize, which was a set of gift cards to restaurants around the area.