HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Volleyball team posted a 2-2 record at the Blue Dragon Invitational this past weekend at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas.
The No. 8 Grizzlies’ season record now stands at 8-3.
Friday, the No. 8 Grizzlies defeated Laramie County Community College in straight sets, 25-16, 25-9, 25-19, before falling to Trinity Valley Community College four, 20-25, 25-12, 18-25, 22-25.
“Trinity Valley is a good team, and when they are playing well, you have to match it or they will make you pay for it,” Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paula Wiedemann said.
“They put together a really good game against us, and we didn’t respond the way we should have,” she added. “This is the kind of game that shows us our inconsistencies in communication and execution. We will be a better team when we get better in these areas.”
“Lots of lessons to take from Friday,” Wiedemann said. “If we pay attention to what matters, it will make us better! There is work to do and goals to reach.”
Saturday, the Grizzlies showed good teamwork in their straight-set win against the host team, 25-13, 25-9, 25-16, but they fell in a close contest to a really good No. 16 Butler Community College team 21-25, 23-35, 17-25.
“Butler is the real deal, playing as a team and being good in all phases of the game,” Wiedemann said. “They beat No. 1 Iowa Western on Friday and continue to put together good games. They play consistent, efficient and aggressive, all things we need to improve on as a team to get us where we need to be,” the coach added.
Ilana Assis led the team in kills for the tournament with 35. Doga Kutlu dished out a team leading 113 assists for the weekend and recorded six service aces. Lauren Weber dug a team leading 74 balls at the tournament. Angie Hardison recorded 10 total blocks for the tournament.
The Grizzlies travel to Texas Friday and Saturday for the Tyler Junior College Invitational. The two-day event will feature some of the top teams in the nation.
They will play the hosting Apaches, ranked 10th in the most recent NJCAA poll, and No. 3 Blinn College on Friday, then face No. 11 Indian Hills Community College on Saturday.
“We see six ranked teams in our next seven games, so we have to be able to put together good practices in order to put together good games. The consistency comes in from what you do day in and day out,” Wiedemann said.
For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit its website at msuwpgrizzlies.com/sports/wvball/index.
Missouri State University-West Plains empowers students to achieve personal success and to enrich their local and global communities by providing accessible, affordable and quality educational opportunities. Missouri State-West Plains offers associate degrees and credit and non-credit courses and serves as a delivery site for bachelor’s and master’s degrees offered by Missouri State University in Springfield.
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