WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Area residents can get their first look at the 2012 Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Volleyball team in action at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, during the annual Grizzly Alumni Volleyball Match at the university’s Student Recreation Center at the corner of Garfield Avenue and Trish Knight Street.

The contest, which is being held in conjunction with the university’s annual Welcome Week activities, will be free and will pit the 2012 Grizzlies against players from previous squads.

“This is always a fun event for us and our fans,” Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paula Wiedemann said.  “It’s a chance to see this year’s team for the first time and, hopefully, some faces from the past.”

Wiedemann said she works to obtain confirmations from alumni who plan to attend, but pointed out there are always surprises.  “You never know who will show up for the game.  One of the things we have to contend with is the fact that so many of our former players are coaches themselves, and they are in the middle of their preseasons, too,” Wiedemann explained.

The alumni will take on a Grizzly team that returns four players from last year’s squad – sophomores Candyce Alexander, a 5-foot, 10-inch right-side attacker from Bedford, Texas; Taylor Swayzer, a 5-foot, 8-inch outside attacker from Houston, Texas; Magda Zietek, a 6-foot, 1-inch middle attacker from Elblag, Poland; and Brittney Adkission, a 5-foot, 8-inch outside attacker from Euless, Texas.

Joining the returning players will be redshirt freshman Victoria Williams, a 5-foot, 2-inch defensive player from Houston, Texas; and freshmen Nella Ioramo, a 6-foot, 2-inch middle attacker from Union City, Calif; Torika Baleilekutu, a 5-foot, 11-inch middle/right-side attacker from Palo Alto, Calif.; Helena Peric, a 6-foot, 1-inch outside attacker from Smederevo, Serbia; Grace Kiely, a 5-foot, 7-inch defensive player from Wildwood, Mo.; Sarah Stretch, a 5-foot, 10-inch setter/outside attacker from Summersville, Mo.; and Laiz Novaes, a 5-foot, 8-inch attacker from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“It’s always great to see our alumni, and there are so many people who enjoy the event – from the players, alumni, coaches, host families and former instructors and staff who were involved with the alumni when they were at Missouri State-West Plains as student athletes,” Wiedemann said.  “We invite everyone to come out, watch this year’s alumni match and meet the 2012 Grizzlies!”

For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit its website at http://wp.missouristate.edu/grizzly/vb/.

Filed Under: Volleyball