WEST PLAINS, Mo. – With their athleticism and skill base, fans of Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Volleyball will have a fun team to watch this season, according to Head Coach Paula Wiedemann.
“Our 2016 team is very athletic and has a really good skill base, which will only get better throughout the year, if they continue to work hard for each other,” Wiedemann said. “I’m excited to see this team grow together and see what they can accomplish together. They will definitely be a fun team to watch!”
The Grizzlies, ranked 15th in the NJCAA Division I preseason poll, will play their first home match of the season at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, when they host fourth-ranked Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, at the West Plains Civic Center. The match will be preceded by the annual Grizzly Booster Club Fall Picnic at 5 p.m. in the civic center exhibit hall and the induction of former Grizzly Volleyball player Katja Stepanova into the Grizzly Hall of Fame. Everyone is invited to attend all of these events, which will be free.
The Grizzlies return four players from last year’s squad – sophomores Blanca Izquierdo, a 5-foot, 9-inch setter from Madrid, Spain; Autumn Reese, a 5-foot, 3-inch libero from Ozark; Stephanie Phillips, a 6-foot, 1-inch right side hitter from Brisbane, Australia; and Maja Petronijevic, a 5-foot, 5-inch defensive specialists from Belgrade, Serbia. Joining these four in January was freshman Rachel Holthaus, a 5-foot, 11-inch middle/outside attacker from Winona.
“This group is motivated and brings a wealth of knowledge from last season to our freshmen,” Wiedemann said. “They know what it takes to be successful and to compete at a high level day in and day out. That isn’t something you know coming in, and the work they put in has paid off tremendously in their ability to lead our team.”
Newcomers to the team include Johonna Walkup, a 5-foot, 11-inch outside/right side attacker from Mtn. View; Kaitlyn Raith a 5-foot, 3-inch defensive specialist from Mtn. View; Maddison “Greer” Rogers, a 5-foot, 11-inch middle attacker from Fort Smith, Arkansas; Catja Weijzen, a 6-foot outside attacker from Houten, Holland; Adriana Darthuy, a 5-foot, 9-inch outside attacker from Marseille, France; Kinli Simmons, a 5-foot, 8-inch setter from El Dorado Springs; Elliotte Bourne, a 5-foot, 8-inch defensive specialist from Rolla; Muara Kroon, a 6-foot, 1-inch middle/right side attacker from Utrecht, Holland; and Mikhala McCullough, a 5-foot, 7-inch defensive specialist from Springfield.
“We have nine newcomers, which seams like a lot, but we’re very happy with the athleticism and talent they bring to us,” Wiedemann said. “Our freshmen will make a big impact on our team and on our success. They are a talented group of coachable kids with whom we are excited to work!”
As in past years, the Grizzlies’ schedule will be filled with some of the top junior college teams in the nation. “We have an extremely tough schedule from the get go. Eight of our first 10 games are against teams ranked in the top 15 in the preseason, with six of those teams being in the top 10. We will see defending national champion College of Southern Idaho and runner up Western Nebraska Community College, as well as Blinn College, Tyler Junior College, Iowa Western Community College, Northwest College, Salt Lake Community College, Polk State College, Hillsborough Community College and Miami Dade College, just to name a few. Our region competition is always tough, and I’m sure Jefferson College is fired up about us since we had such a close rivalry last year.”
Just as constant as the tough competition is for the Grizzlies each year, so is their support from the community, Wiedemann said. “Grizzly Volleyball wouldn’t be where we are without the support from the community. Our success over the years is a direct result of how much the community supports our program. It is something I never take for granted, and it’s one of the things that brought me to West Plains in the first place. Our players benefit in so many ways from the support they receive from their fans and the Grizzly Booster Club. The booster club works hard to provide our players with the means to compete at the highest level. Without their dedication to Grizzly Athletics, we would not have the program we do. This is a great community, and we are proud to be a part of it,” she said.
MEET THE PLAYERS
Maja Petronijevic: “Maja has made amazing strides from last year. She reads the ball well and puts herself in good position to dig the ball. She is always striving to be better, and her willingness to learn has put her in a good position for this upcoming season,” the coach said.
Johonna Walkup: “Johonna comes from a strong high school program and knows what it takes to win. Her work ethic is outstanding, and there is no question she will lead by example. She can swing from anywhere on the court, which makes her very dangerous as a hitter. Her passing and defensive skills also will be a huge part of her role playing six rotations,” Wiedemann said.
Blanca Izquierdo: “Blanca is a magnet for her teammates. Her attitude and personality are everything you would want in a teammate. She will run our offense this year, and I expect her to be a voice for this team. She stepped up in a big role last year toward the end of the season, and I expect this year to be no different,” the coach said.
Stephanie Phillips: “Stephanie is a versatile on the court and is a solid right side blocker for us. She has become a strong, confident hitter who isn’t afraid to get up and take a big swing when the game is tight,” Wiedemann said.
Autumn Reese: “Autumn is a defensive machine. She will keep the ball off the floor at all costs and will be one of primary passers in serve receive. She has the ability to frustrate hitters because of her great defensive reads. She has really grown into her role this last year, and I expect her to lead this team the way I know she can,” the coach said.
Adriana Darthuy: “Adriana is a smooth player who takes a big approach when attacking. She knows what to do with the ball and is very smart when it comes to shot selection on the floor. She is an all-around competitor who is going to do what it takes to win,” Wiedemann said.
Greer Rogers: “Greer is an extremely long and athletic middle from Fort Smith, Arkansas. She is a great blocker, who will only continue to improve and grow in her role. She runs well off one foot, which we will utilize on offense,” the coach said.
Rachel Holthaus: “Rachel comes from one of the best 1A high school programs in the state and has been a point scoring machine. She joined the team in January and had a good spring season. She can make a huge impact on our team offensively as she continues to improve her strength and movement,” Wiedemann said.
Elliotte Bourne: “Elliotte played high school ball for (former Grizzly Head Coach) Trish Knight, so she is familiar with our progressions. I see very good things in how she can play the game defensively. As she improves with strength and speed of the game, she will make her presence known on the floor in defense and passing,” Wiedemann said.
Mikhala McCullough: “Mikhala has improved a lot in the short time she’s been here. She works hard, and her willingness to get outside her comfort zone gives her the ability to continue to progress as a player,” the coach said.
Kinli Simmons: “Kinli brings a lot to the table for us. Her ability to set the ball and her leadership are what make her a great player. As she develops with the speed and technical aspects of her position, it will be fun to watch,” Wiedemann said.
Catja Weijzen: “Catja is a high energy player who will catch your attention when she walks on the court. She has a strong arm and will be very useful for us offensively. She is a go-to hitter and always wants the ball. Her confidence and communication will be contagious to her teammates,” the coach said.
Muara Kroon: “Muara has a lot of length, and at 6-feet, 2-inches, can do many things with it. She has a good feel for the game, and as she becomes stronger she will continue to improve quickly,” the coach said.
Kaitlyn Raith: “Kaitlyn is going to redshirt for us this season which, in the long run, will be good for her and us. She’s been dealing with an injury, and we all agreed it would be a good move for her. She will continue to grow in her role for our team, and we are very glad she’s a part of this group,” Wiedemann said.
For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit its website.