WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The talent is there, but members of the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Volleyball team are still looking for the mindset that will lead to victories as the 2017 season draws closer to its end.
The Grizzlies (4-18) dropped all four of their games in the Grizzly Invitational Tournament this past weekend in Joe Paul Evans Arena at the West Plains Civic Center. On Friday, Oct. 13, the lost to No. 20 Tyler Junior College, Tyler, Texas, 25-21, 19-25, 24-26, 11-25 and No. 10 Panola College, Carthage, Texas, 11-25, 25-21, 16-25, 18-25. Saturday, they were defeated by Hutchinson Community College, Hutchinson, Kansas, 23-25, 19-25, 21-25, and Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa, Iowa, 25-19, 25-18, 23-25, 28-25, 9-15.
“How do you convince a team that they can play this game? That’s the question right now,” Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paula Wiedemann said. “It’s a mindset issue right now. It’s not any different than with any other group we’ve had, but it’s important that they truly understand how the little things can make a big difference on the court. The attitude and mindset that we have to incorporate is the responsibility of everyone.”
One person who has made a mindset adjustment in recent weeks is Karolina Noszczyk. Since visiting with the coaches one-on-one, the freshman outside hitter from Bedzin, Poland, has completely changed the attitude she has when she walks in the gym every day.
“The work she’s putting in, the reason she’s putting it in, everything is where it needs to be,” Wiedemann said. “These things are noticed, not only by us, but also by her teammates. As a result, what she’s bringing to the court every day has changed her and the energy of the team. It has been literally like turning on a switch.
“She is a spark on the floor, and we need others to follow in her footsteps,” Wiedemann added. “The past two tournaments she has been the most efficient in positive points, and it’s making a difference in her play.”
Noszczyk had 27 kills on 72 attempts with nine errors for an attacking percentage of .250 for the tournament. She also recorded two blocks, three service aces, 10 digs and 32 points earned.
Freshman middle attacker Koty Cooper was just slightly ahead of Noszczyk in attacking percentage for the tournament with .253. She also recorded 34 kills and 52 digs.
Freshman middle attacker Keziah Williams recorded the greatest number of kills for the weekend with 36. She also had a team-leading 8.5 blocks, including four solo blocks and recorded 45.5 points earned.
Redshirt freshman setter Kinli Simmons led the team in assists and service aces with 97 and four, respectively, and freshman libero Kamryn Artale led the team in digs with 73.
The coach thanked Colton’s Steak House and Grill and Lazy W Pallets for sponsoring the tournament, saying the support of businesses and community members is very much appreciated.
The Grizzlies have very little time to right the ship, and Wiedemann admitted the players are frustrated with their win/loss record. But, she said, “the circumstance you’re in shouldn’t affect how you emotionally deal with it. The ability to put effort into change is more important than putting emotion into your circumstance.
“The choices they make over the next couple of weeks will determine the end of the story for this season,” she added. “There’s much to be said for those who look at the process and the details that make the difference in how the game needs to be played.”
The Grizzlies go on the road this week to face Region 16 foes Mineral Area College, ranked eighth in the most recent poll, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, in Park Hills and Jefferson College at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, in Hillsboro.
They will then participate in the annual Jefferson College Halloween Classic tournament Friday and Saturday in Hillsboro. They will face Vincennes University, Vincennes, Indiana, and Cloud County Community College, Concordia, Kansas, Friday, Oct. 20. On Saturday, Oct. 21, they will play Illinois Central College, the No. 7 team in Division II from East Peoria, Illinois, and Iowa Western Community College, the No. 3 team in Division 1 from Council Bluffs, on Saturday, Oct. 22.
For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit www.wp.missouristate.edu/grizzly/vb/. For complete statistics of the Grizzlies’ games, visit http://www.njcaa.org/sports/wvball/2017-18/div1/teams/missouristateuniversitywestplains.
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