WEST PLAINS, Mo. – An emotional evening and season ended on a high note Tuesday night when the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Volleyball team sent its “Core Four” sophomore members into the sunset with a 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 win over Mineral Area College, Park Hills, at the West Plains Civic Center in the team’s final game of the season.
“They ended this season perfectly, the way they played, the way they enjoyed it,” Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paula Wiedemann said. “I wanted them to enjoy playing this game that they put so much into, and they did. They played for each other.”
Due to self-reported rules violations to the National Junior College Atletic Association (NJCAA) last spring, the Grizzlies are not allowed to compete in post-season play this year, but the players, especially the sophomores – setter Blanca Izquierdo, defensive specialist Maja Petronijevic, outside attacker Stephanie Phillips and libero Autumn Reese, didn’t let that deter them from setting goals for themselves or the program.
“The sophomores had every right to feel like something was taken away from them last spring, but their process through this season has been nothing short of almost perfect,” Wiedemann said. “They love this place, they love their teammates, and there is so much to be said about the connections they’ve made. Their commitment to that and to trusting what we were going to try to accomplish with our brutal schedule was phenomenal. The growth each of the girls has gone through over the past two years is what I’m most proud of. They were willing to change, which is never easy, and what they found was something bigger than themselves, and they embraced it. We talk about getting out of your own way, and they absolutely did.
“For some, this season may not seem as successful as other years, since we won’t be moving forward, but from a coaching perspective, I don’t know many that could match it, with all of the love, the commitment and effort that’s been put into it. It’s been absolutely amazing,” Wiedemann added.
The Grizzlies end the season with a 28-5 record. Their five losses included two to No. 1 Panola College, Carthage, Texas; two to No. 3 Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs; and one to No. 4 College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls. In addition, one of their wins this season was over No. 2 Western Nebraska Community College, Scottsbluff, and 18 other wins were against ranked opponents.
The Grizzlies also swept their Region 16 opponents Jefferson College, Hillsboro, and Mineral Area College (Park Hills), as well as Missouri Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) foes East Central College, Union, and St. Louis Community College.
“I can look back on this season, talk about this team and use them as an example for any team to asipire to,” Wiedemann said. “It doesn’t matter the talent or how they finish, if they go about doing things the way this team did, especially the way the sophomores did, they will achieve great things.”
As for the “Core Four” in their final outing as Grizzlies? “They played fantastic,” the coach said. “In their little piece of the game, they delivered, and when you put it together, it is beautiful. To end it that way, I couldn’t be happier for them.” Izquierdo posted a team-leading 33 assists. Petronijevic led the team in digs with 20, followed by Reese with 15. Reese led the team in passing rating with 2.61. And, Phillips recorded 7 kills on 17 attempts with one error for an attacking percentage of .353.
Freshman outside attacker Catja Weijzen led the team in kills with 16, attacking percentage with .483, service aces with three, and points earned with 20.5; and freshman middle attacker Greer Rogers led the team in blocks with two.
“Every thing this team set out to do this season, they accomplished. There was no doubt they put everything they had into it,” Wiedemann said. “There was a better feel to the ending than I thought there would be, and I don’t know why that surprises me. They’ve done everything to make this season theirs.”
In addition to saying farewell to the sophomores, who were recognized prior to the game, the players, fans and university administration also paid tribute to Wiedemann for completing her 20th season with Grizzly Volleyball. As an assistant coach and head coach, Wiedemann has compiled an 807-212 record; made 15 trips to the NJCAA national tournament, finishing in the top five six times; and coached 71 All-Region 16 players, 26 NJCAA All-Americans, 23 NJCAA academic honorees and 12 NJCAA Fall Academic Teams.
Following the game, Assistant Coach Briana Walsh and the players presented Wiedemann with a plaque noting the occasion, and a small reception was held in the civic center Dogwood Room for her and the sophomores. Earlier in the day, the players, coaching staff, administrators and family members, including her mother from Oklahoma, honored her at a private gathering.
“I was absolutely surprised by everything. Bri can be sneaky good with things like this,” Wiedemann said. “The thoughts, the comments, the gratitude that was expressed meant the world to me. The day could not have been more perfect. I am so blessed, it’s ridiculous!”
For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit its website.