WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Area residents can get their first look at the 2011 Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Volleyball team in action at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, during the annual Grizzly Alumni Volleyball Match at the West Plains Civic Center arena.

The contest will be free and will pit the 2011 Grizzlies against several players from previous squads.

“This is always a fun event for us and our fans,” Head Coach Paula Wiedemann said.  “It’s a chance to see this year’s team for the first time and, hopefully, some faces from the past.”

Wiedemann said she tries to obtain confirmations from alumni who plan to attend, but there are always surprises.  “You never know who will show up for the match, but a few who have confirmed they will be here include Renae Goeller Smith (1995-97), Lynn Sandfort Crites (1995-96), Erika Derra (1993), Holly Morgan Smith (1998-99), Rachel Warrington (2006-07), Quanna Speake Hafer (1996-97), Vicky Castleman (2007-08) and Courtney Hendrickson (2004-05).

“One of the things we have to contend with is that we have so many former players who are coaches, and they are in the middle of their preseason, as well,” Wiedemann added.

The alumni will take on a Grizzly team that returns four players from last year’s  squad – sophomores Yuan Fu, a 6-foot, 2-inch middle blocker from Beijing, China; Colbi Goff, a 5-foot, 4-inch defensive specialist from Mountain View, Mo.; Abby Hanger, a 5-foot, 8-inch defensive specialist/libero from Belleville, Ill.; and Marti Richmiller, a 5-foot, 9-inch right side hitter from Cassville, Mo.

Joining the returning players will be redshirt freshman Brittney Adkisson, a 5-foot, 8-inch outside attacker from Euless, Texas.  Other newcomers include freshmen Morgan Adams, a 5-foot, 2-inch defensive specialist from Eminence; Candyce Alexander, a 5-foot, 10-inch attacker from Bedford, Texas; Aerielle Edwards, a 5-foot, 11-inch attacker from Haltom City, Texas; Ezgi Guney, a 5-foot, 9-inch setter from Istanbul, Turkey; Taylor Swayzer, a 5-foot, 8-inch attacker from Houston, Texas; Bri’Ja Watterson, a 5-foot, 10-inch attacker from Houston, Texas; and Magda Zieteck, a 6-foot, 1-inch attacker from Elblag, Poland.

“It is great to see our alumni, and there are so many people who enjoy the event – from the players, alumni, coaches, host families, and former instructors and staff who were involved with the alumni when they were at Missouri State-West Plains as student athletes,” Wiedemann said.  “We invite everyone to come out, watch this year’s alumni match and meet the 2011 Grizzlies!”

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