WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Volleyball team will enter the Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College Invitational Tournament Friday with a 9-6 record after defeating Region 16 rival Mineral Area College, Park Hills, in three straight sets, 25-18, 25-20, 25-20, Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the West Plains Civic Center arena.
The Grizzlies will face New Mexico Military Institute, Roswell, at 3 p.m. Friday, then play the host team at 5 p.m. Saturday, the Grizzlies will face Odessa (Texas) College at noon and nationally-ranked Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, at 2 p.m.
Tuesday’s match proved the Grizzlies learned a lot from their trip to Miami, Florida, this past weekend, where they went 1-3 in the Miami Dade College Invitational. “At the end of the Miami tournament, the first thing I asked the girls was, ‘Have you learned something this weekend?’ and it was an immediate yes from all of them. After last night’s match, you could see they did learn something.
“The feel of everything was different, and it was exactly what we’ve been working toward,” she continued. “Attitude is everything, and they brought the right attitude to the game. They produced points in all aspects of the game. They allowed themselves to play through the points. Now, we have to be able to do this game in and game out. We have to control what we do on our side, and we have to approach the game with the right attitude. Winning and losing will take care of itself if you learn how to actually compete.”
The Grizzlies maintained control of the match throughout, even though the Mineral Area Cardinals played well. The Cardinals only took a brief lead in the contest in the middle of the third set, but the Grizzlies quickly erased it. “Mineral Area is a good team. Their ability to play and run offense – they have all the key ingredients that will continue to make them a good team,” Wiedemann said.
Statistical leaders for the Grizzlies included sophomore middle attacker Zori Curry, who had 10 kills, a .529 attacking percentage and 12 points earned; sophomore setter Susannah Kelley, who had 26 assists; freshman defensive specialist Maja Petronijevic, who had a 2.29 passing rating; Kelley and sophomore outside hitter Gabby Edmondson, who each had two service aces; and freshman libero Autumn Reese, who had 20 digs.
The match was sponsored Physical Therapy Specialists Clinic (PTSC) as part of its Dig for a Cure Night fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks. Proceeds from T-shirt sales and other fundraising efforts at games hosted by the Grizzlies and several area high schools during the volleyball season will go to the Springfield-based not-for-profit organization to help provide a variety of resources and support for local individuals and families impacted by breast cancer.
“The crowd and the cheer team were fantastic again, and the student organizations that were represented did a great job of bringing Grizzly spirit to the game,” Wiedemann said. “We want to thank everyone for coming out and showing their support, not only for the team, but also for this great cause. We are happy to team up with PTSC each year to raise funds that will help our friends and neighbors in their fight against this disease.”
For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit its website at http://wp.missouristate.edu/grizzly/vb/.