COLUMBIA, Mo. - After months of extra work, the Mizzou volleyball program was recognized for its contributions to the community by winning The Tiger Cup at last night's ROARS Ceremony at Mizzou Arena. The Tiger Cup recognized the Mizzou team that earned the most overall points in the team competition. Points were awarded for achievement in academics, athletics and for community involvement. Awarded a prize of $3,000, the volleyball players stayed true to their commitment to the community and immediately donated their entire prize to the Mid-Missouri Susan G. Komen Foundation, which raises funds for Breast Cancer Awareness.

The Tiger volleyball team earned points in a variety of ways, specifically with high performance in the classroom and on the court, but it was the Tigers' dedication to the community that set them apart from the other Tiger programs. In the fall, Mizzou spent time donating holiday cookies to senior citizens at retirement communities throughout the Mid-Missouri community. The team also spent the spring semester doing the same with bags of jellybeans, hoping to spread a little spring cheer.

Also, the volleyball team hosted a Haitian Relief Tournament earlier this year that benefited the American Red Cross and its Haitian earthquake relief funds. During that event, the team raised more than $1,000 for the relief efforts as the team spent countless hours at the Hearnes Center collecting donations and helping teach the game of volleyball to area youngsters.

During the fall, Mizzou Volleyball also hosted several youth clinics, visited elementary schools for before-school clinics, held a Girl Scout clinic at the Hearnes Center Field House, visited the MU Children's Hospital and provided community service in a variety of other ways during their competitive schedule. The Tigers even took time host a local youngster's birthday party prior to their five-set, comeback win over Texas A&M at the Hearnes Center.

Mizzou also excelled in the classroom, posting a combined 3.11 cumulative grade-point-average. In addition, six Tigers earned Academic All-Big 12 honors last season, adding to their success as student-athletes. Currently, nine Mizzou volleyball players have a GPA that is better than a 3.00.

Competitively, Mizzou earned Tiger cup points in large part thanks to Paola Ampudia (Cali, Colombia) who was named to the All-Big 12 First Team and was honored as the league's Preseason and Postseason Newcomer of the Year. Each of those honors earned the program points in the Tiger Cup competition.

In its second year of existence, the Tiger Cup has become a coveted award among Tiger athletic programs and it was the marquee award at the ROARS last night. Last year, the Tiger gymnastics team took home the honor in its inaugural season.

For all the latest on Mizzou volleyball, stay tuned to MUTigers.com