WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Despite a few nerves, the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Volleyball team picked up its first win of the season Tuesday evening, Aug. 30, with a 25-27, 25-19, 25-22, 25-19 decision over the Redlands Community College Cougars of El Reno, Okla., at the West Plains Civic Center arena.
The win in their home opener ups the Grizzlies’ record to 1-4.

“I was really happy we won.  We were very nervous to start, but we had a great crowd that gave us great energy,” Head Coach Paula Wiedemann said.  “We just need to create more of our own energy on the court.”

The team’s nerves showed, especially in the first game when the Grizzlies had to battle back from a slow start.  “I felt like we did some good things, but we were also tentative which creates uncertainty and affects our flow and consistency.  These guys are willing to work hard.  We just need to find that time in practice to develop the consistency we need,” Wiedemann explained.

She also said lack of movement and communication also hampered the Grizzlies’ efforts at consistency.  “But this is something that can be fixed.  I think you’ll see a different team soon,” she added.

The Grizzlies were led in their attacks at the net by freshmen middle attackers Bri’Ja Watterson and Magda Zietek.  Watterson recorded 12 kills on 19 attempts with one error for an attacking percentage of .579, while Zietek downed seven kills on 12 attempts with no errors for an attacking percentage of .583.
“Bri’Ja and Magda played well.  They only had one hitting error between them.  We need to get our middles more involved.  They’ll be amazed at what they can do,” Wiedemann said.

The coach also praised freshman outside hitter Candyce Alexander.  “She played much better than her stats show.  She took great swings from the back court, she had the second highest number of digs (14) for the night, and she led the team in passing rating (2.69),” Wiedemann said.

Other stat leaders included freshman setter Ezgi Guney, who had 41 assists; sophomore libero Abby Hanger, who had 19 digs; freshman outside hitter Brittney Adkisson, who had 14 kills and 14.5 points earned; and sophomore defensive specialist Colbi Goff, who had two aces.  Zietek and Guney each had a team-leading 2.5 blocks for the night.
The Grizzlies leave today, Aug. 31, for Salt Lake City, Utah, where they will compete in the Salt Lake Community College Invitational Friday and Saturday, Sept. 2-3.  They’ll face NJCAA preseason No. 13 Northeastern Junior College, Sterling, Colo., at 10 a.m. Friday and No. 24 Snow College, Ephraim, Utah, at 2 p.m.  Saturday, they’ll play Central Wyoming College, Riverton, at 11 a.m. and the hosting Bruins, No. 7 in the preseason poll, at 1 p.m.

Their next home match will be 6 p.m. Sept. 9 against Lyon College of Batesville, Ark., at the civic center.  The match is being hosted by Air Evac Lifeteam.

For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball program, visit the team’s website at http://www.websightmaster.com/grizzly/.