WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Winning the NJCAA Region 16 Championship never gets old for the Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Volleyball team.
The No. 5 Grizzlies (25-5) picked up their 18th title with a straight set victory over Jefferson College Saturday at Park Hills. The scores were 25-21, 25-8, 25-8.
“It was a great game Saturday, to say the least,” Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paula Wiedemann said. “Jefferson has been playing very well. We watched them beat MAC (Mineral Area College) on Friday fairly easily, so I was expecting a good, tough game.”
Jefferson reached the title game after defeating MAC 25-19, 25-17, 25-18.
In Saturday’s game, MSU-WP and Jefferson stayed close throughout much of the first set.
“It was back and forth until 21 all, then we took off with it,” Wiedemann said. “We started taking control by talking, and our presence on the floor grew big time. We got in their ear then in their head. We ran away with it from there. Everyone was locked in and played well.
“After we won the second set so easily, I expected Jefferson to come out fighting, but we just stayed aggressive and controlled the game throughout,” the coach explained. “We averaged over four blocks per set as a team, had an overall .341 attacking percentage and didn’t give them any room to score points with our defense. We picked up everything, and our presence at the net forced them into a lot of attacking errors.”
As a result, the Vikings only hit .077 for the game.
“To see this group play with this kind of confidence and presence on the floor in a big game was fun to watch,” Wiedemann said. “The best part is they will come in this week and work to get better. They have a lot of love for the game, for each other and for all they have in front of them.”
Sophomore outside hitter Manuela Bibinbe led the Grizzly attack with 12 kills and a .556 attacking percentage. Freshman outside hitter Ilana Assis followed with seven, freshman middle blocker Alana Moesch and sophomore middle blocker Angelina Hardison each added five, and sophomore right side attacker Cecilia Westfall recorded four.
Freshman setter Doga Kutlu led the team in assists with 28; sophomore libero Lauren Weber had four.
Defensively, Bibinbe led the team at the net with six total blocks, including three solo blocks. As a team, the Grizzlies recorded 4.33 blocks per set, the highest tally of the year.
The Grizzlies recorded 45 digs as a team. Weber led the way with 14, followed by Kutlu with nine, Assis with seven and freshman defensive specialist Sthefany Maximo with six.
Kutlu and Assis each recorded two aces. As a team, the Grizzlies had six.
“We have been all about team all year, and every game we have players step up and make an impact in some way. They really don’t care who gets the credit, but they all want to get things done,” Wiedemann said.
Six Grizzlies earned All-Region 16 honors, including sophomore right side attacker Manuela Bibinbe who was named Region 16 Player of the Year.
Joining Bibinbe on the first team were freshman setter Doga Kutlu, sophomore libero Lauren Weber, and freshman outside attacker Ilana Assis.
Grizzlies earning second team all-region honors were sophomore right side attacker Cecilia Westfall and freshman outside attacker Alana Moesch.
“I was so happy for the recognition our players received on the all-region teams and for Manu being named Region 16 Player of the Year. It’s a testament to all the work they have put into this season, and to have the other coaches acknowledge their efforts is definitely rewarding,” Wiedemann said.
Other first team all-region honorees included Kayla Beel, Kyndia Smith, Emilia Bostal and Alohilani Bursey, all of Jefferson; and Mikayla Johnson and Alayna Rooks, both of MAC.
Other second team honorees were Julia Lemos and Taylor Duncan, both of Jefferson; and Chloey Myers and Nina Janjic, both of MAC.
The Grizzlies have one more step to take to reach nationals, and that will take place Saturday at the West Plains Civic Center when they host the Midwest B District Championships.
The Grizzlies will face Kaskaskia Community College from Centralia, Illinois, in the first semifinal game at 11 a.m.
The winner will play the victor of the 1 p.m. semifinal game between John A. Logan College of Carterville, Illinois, and Indian Hills Community College from Ottumwa, Iowa.
The championship game will be at 5 p.m. The winner earns an automatic bid to the NJCAA Division I Women’s National Volleyball Championships Nov. 18-20 at Hutchinson, Kansas.
“We are excited about hosting the Midwest B District Championships this Saturday,” Wiedemann said. “We get a chance to punch a ticket to the national tournament this weekend, and that’s always something to get excited about!”
For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit its website at msuwpgrizzlies.com/sports/wvball/index.
Captions for Photos:
Championship Trophy
REGION CHAMPIONS – The Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Volleyball team earned their 18th Region 16 championship Saturday when they defeated Jefferson College in straight sets. With their trophy are, front row from left, Heather Montague, Ilana Assis, Sthefany Maximo, Lauren Weber, Doga Kutlu, Sydney Rupert and Manoela Rosa. Back row: Assistant Coach Susannah Kelley, Jalise Stewart, Raina Forstrom, Angelina Hardison, Cecilia Westfall, Manuela Bibinbe, Alana Moesch, Leticia Barea and Head Coach Paula Wiedemann. (Photo provided)
All Region Players
SIX GRIZZLIES earned All-Region 16 honors following Saturday’s Region 16 Championship game in Park Hills. From left, Ilana Assis, first team; Alana Moesch, second team; Lauren Weber, first team; Cecila Westfall, second team; Manuela Bibinbe, Region 16 Player of the Year; and Doga Kutlu, first team. (Photo provided)
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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