Aug. 14, 2012

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ALBANY, Ore. - The Oregon State volleyball team opens its 2012 season in 10 days when making the trip to the Kansas State Tournament in Manhattan.

There's plenty to do before the Beavers make that trek but that hasn't kept members of the team from being active in the community.

On Tuesday, eight members of the team worked with the Albany Boys and Girls Club while in between a morning and afternoon set of practices. Five other members of the team worked with the Philomath Youth Activities Center while four remaining student-athletes were scheduled to visit the Corvallis Boys and Girls Club later this week.

Naturally, OSU players understand what their presence in the community means. After all, they've had older athletes they looked up to when they were younger and know what kind of an effect spending even just a little bit of time can have.

The eight at the Albany Boys and Girls Club fielded questions from program participants and gave the group a few pointers on the sport of volleyball. Before heading back to campus for practice, the players signed autographs and invited the young mentorees to Saturday night's scrimmage at Gill Coliseum.

"It's good to get the community involved, especially because they are going to be the next volleyball players," said junior Becky Defoe. "You need to get them into it now while they are young and impressionable."

For Katelyn Driscoll, a freshman from Littleton, Colo., it was a chance for her first community service opportunity as an official member of the team. And this comes more than a month prior to the start of the fall academic term.

"I loved it. It was so nice getting to sign autographs for everybody and get to know all the kids and see the smiles on their faces," she said.

"It's important because it helps give kids a reason to keep going," Driscoll added in regards to performing the community service. "Some kids have problems in going forward and they need positive influences in their life. As athletes, hopefully we can be a positive influence that helps them."

The team is now preparing for the Beavers' annual Orange and Black Scrimmage, which is set for Saturday at Gill Coliseum. The scrimmage is free to attend and it starts at 7 p.m. PT.

The scrimmage is an opportunity for Oregon State fans to see the team in action for the first time this season. It's also an opportunity for fans to see the team in action in the state of Oregon for the only time until Sept. 19. Oregon State visits Oregon Sept. 19 before the team's home opener Sept. 28 against Colorado.

Prior to the scrimmage, OSU fans are invited to meet the team Friday night at 6 p.m. The Beavers will be at the Loge level of Reser Stadium in a kick-off celebration. Cost is $20.

The Beavers open their 2012 campaign next week when visiting Manhattan, Kan., as part of the Kansas State Tournament. Oregon State takes on Oakland on Aug. 24, followed by UC Irvine and Kansas State the following day.

Season and single-match tickets for the Beavers' 2012 campaign are now on sale.

Season tickets are $56 for adults and seniors/children (aged 62 or older or ages 3-18) are $40. Adult single-match tickets are $7, while children are $5. Groups of 20 or more can purchase tickets for $2 per.

Fans can purchase tickets in person at the Gill Coliseum ticket office, over the phone by calling 1-800-GOBEAVS or online at beavertickets.com.

For more information on the Oregon State volleyball team, follow the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/BeavsVolleyball or by Facebook at Facebook.com/OregonStateVolleyball.

Support Oregon State University Athletics by making your tax deductible donation to the Beaver Athletic Student Fund. For more information follow this link or call 541-737-2370. Former Student-Athletes are invited to join the Varsity O Facebook Page for upcoming Alumni events.

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