WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Three area volleyball standouts who come from storied programs will bring their considerable talents to the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Volleyball team for the 2016 season.
Rachel Holthaus, a 2015 graduate of Winona High School, and Kaitlyn Raith and Johonna Walkup, who will graduate from Mtn. View-Birch Tree Liberty High School this May, have signed paperwork agreeing to play for the Grizzlies beginning next fall.
“We are thrilled to have Rachel, Kaitlyn and Johonna join our team,” Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paula Wiedemann said. “All three are high caliber players and come from programs with a winning tradition. As such, they understand the high expectations that come from playing for such teams, so they will bring that attitude with them and fit in well with our program.”
Holthaus is one of the most decorated volleyball players in Missouri history. Not only did she earn all-district, all-region and all-state honors all four years of her career with the Wildcats, she also was a first team Max Preps All-American for small schools her junior and senior year and was on the Max Preps National Volleyball Player of the Year Watch List in 2014. In addition she was a Prep Volleyball High School All-American in 2014 and the first runner up for Missouri Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year in 2015. The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) also listed her on its Phenom List in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
“You watch a player like this play throughout her high school career, and you see how she dominated at that level, I’m just really thrilled we have the opportunity to have her as part of our program,” Wiedemann said.
Holthaus, who helped guide her Wildcats to three consecutive Missouri Class 1 State Volleyball Championships from 2012 to 2014, originally signed with NCAA Division I Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, but due to several circumstances, including changes in that program and a family illness at home, Holthaus decided to leave the program.
“I always told her dad if something changed, Rachel could always give me a call, and something changed,” Wiedemann said. “She’s very excited about this opportunity. She wants to make a mark as a player wherever she goes. She wants to play the game she loves, and she’s going to bring a lot to the team because of her love for the game.”
Holthaus is a versatile player who can play multiple positions on the court, Wiedemann said. “Her ability to fit her strengths into what the team needs is a strong point and can be extremely valuable,” she added.
Raith and Walkup also will bring a lot to the Grizzly program. Both have earned all-South Central Association (SCA) Conference, all-district, all-region and all-state honors during their careers with the Eagles, and they guided their team to three consecutive SCA Championships, three consecutive district championships and the Missouri Class 2 State Volleyball Championship in 2014. Raith was named SCA Libero of the Year in 2014 and 2015, and Walkup was the SCA Most Valuable Player in 2014 and 2015.
“These two all-state players have accomplished a lot as part of a Liberty Eagles,” Wiedemann said. “Like Rachel and Winona, they have won a state championship and are part of a winning tradition as a team, which is valuable when you look at players. Kaitlyn and Johonna bring different talents, as far as the positions they play, but watching them on the court, you see the talent they possess and the connection they have with each other and with their team. I’m excited they both decided to come play for the Grizzlies.”
Walkup, Wiedemann said, is very versatile as an attacker and a six-rotation player, which is always a plus and a valuable addition to the Grizzlies. Raith’s good instincts, quickness and communication skills on the court are what caught Wiedemann’s eye and are among the many qualities you want to see in a libero.
“With these three new additions to our team, I’m very excited about the upcoming season,” Wiedemann said.
For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit the team’s website.