Oct. 5, 2009
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Hours before knocking off Texas A&M in a five-set thriller on September 26, the Mizzou volleyball team took time to host Piper Osman's ninth birthday party. As part of the celebration, Osman and 20 of her friends were given a tour of the volleyball locker room, the Hearnes center and the volleyball facilities. The children even got to hang out with the team prior to the match. The children mingled with the Mizzou student-athletes and asked them everything from volleyball-related questions to what their favorite animals were.
"I thought it was really cool that Piper wanted to spend her ninth birthday with our team at a volleyball match," senior middle blocker Amanda Hantouli said. "It just goes to show how much children in our community look up to us and how they think that what we do is really fun. I'm glad we showed her a great time and even more happy that we won for her that night."
Each of the 20 children on hand for the birthday party left the locker room in awe after Hantouli and the rest of the Tigers took time to talk, share stories and even take pictures with the entire birthday party group. The Mizzou volleyball program created a unique experience for young Piper, one that she is sure to never forget.
The Tigers return to the court this Wednesday as they play host to Colorado at the Hearnes Center in their first televised match of the season. The match is slated for a 6:30 p.m. start time. For all the latest on Mizzou Volleyball, stay tuned to www.MUTigers.com.