One of the most complete players to ever don a Grizzly Volleyball uniform is coming back to serve as Missouri State University-West Plains’ (MSU-WP) new assistant volleyball coach.
Grizzly Hall of Fame honoree Patricia Figueiredo has been hired for the position pending approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors. She replaces former assistant coach Susannah Kelley, who left to take a coaching position with the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith volleyball program.
“I could not be more excited about Paty returning to West Plains and our Grizzly Volleyball family,” Head Coach Paula Wiedemann said. “She knows exactly what we are trying to accomplish as a program – on the court, in the classroom and in the community. She understands what our program represents, loves the game, is passionate about teaching and knows what it takes to become a great team and reach high expectations.
“She comes in with coaching experience at the (NCAA) D1 and NAIA levels and has made connections through her experience as a player and coach that will be valuable for our program,” Wiedemann continued. “Paty brings a unique perspective to our team in the fact that she has played and coached in the states and internationally.”
About Patricia Figueiredo
A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Figueiredo joined the Grizzlies as a setter in 2008 and was part of two teams that reached the NJCAA Division 1 Women’s National Volleyball Championship Tournament. The 2009 Grizzlies brought home the second place trophy from the event.
After graduating from MSU-WP, she transferred to Florida State University where she played for the Seminoles and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in business. Coaching opportunities took her to the University of Texas-El Paso, where she earned a master’s degree in leadership and communication, and Montana State University-Northern in Havre.
She comes to the Grizzlies after a season as the director of volleyball operations/varsity volleyball head coach at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida.
“I cannot put into words my excitement about being back in West Plains and, even more, being Paula’s assistant coach at this time,” Figueiredo said. “The school and the community have a special place in my heart. The connection I have made with the coaches, my teammates and the community during my time as a student athlete will last for a lifetime.”
Unfinished business
Figueiredo admitted she feels like she has unfinished business with the Grizzlies after placing second in the national tournament in 2009. “We truly wanted to win the championship for the team we became and as a way of appreciation and gratitude for our coaches, school and the support we received from our community. I am extremely happy to be able to continue to pursue this goal, but this time being part of this amazing coaching staff,” she said.
Figueiredo’s impact on the Grizzly Volleyball program as a player was tremendous, Wiedemann pointed out. She led the nation in assists her freshman season helping a young, talented 2008 team to a seventh place finish at the NJCAA national tournament.
Her versatility as a player made a huge impact in helping lead the 2009 team to the NJCAA national championship finals, Wiedemann said. She not only led the team in assists, she was a force at the net as one of the team’s top attackers and was third on the team in points earned.
Figueiredo continued to be an impact player at Florida State, helping the Seminoles finish 22-11 in 2010, while advancing to the second round of the NCAA DI championships, where they took No. 1 overall seed Florida to five sets, losing 15-17 in the fifth set.
“The gratitude and respect she has for the opportunities that grew from her time as a player here are a big reason I reached out to her,” Wiedemann said. “You never know what might happen, but I knew she would be a great assistant if it worked out. I look forward to working with her and know she will be a great coach and mentor for our players. She has a lot to offer our players to help them to continue to grow because of the experience she brings. This opportunity to return to a place that means so much to her is exciting and I’m grateful she is back.”
Figueiredo is just as grateful to return to West Plains. “The timing of how things happened this time was amazing and I could not pass up an opportunity to be back in West Plains and continue my history as a Grizzly. I will continue to offer my best to Paula, Keri (Elrod, strength and conditioning coach), the girls, the school and the community to reach our full potential on the court and continue to create unforgettable memories. I want to thank Coach Paula, Keri, Interim Athletic Director Crockett Oaks and the community for trusting me for this position and for welcoming me back to the Grizzly Volleyball program,” she said.
