Three sophomore members of the 2022-2023 Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Volleyball team have signed with new programs for the upcoming season.
Libero Sthefany Maximo will play for the University at Albany in New York, setter Karya Suvarioglu will play for Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, and outside hitter Ilana Assis will play for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg.
More about Maximo’s signing
“I am excited and happy for Sthefany,” Grizzly Volleyball Interim Head Coach Paty Figueiredo said. “She has been through a lot this past year, but she showed resilience and persistence. She knows what she wants for her volleyball and academic career, and she is happy to have found a place to call home with a welcoming coaching staff at the University at Albany. We will continue to follow her steps, and I am sure she has a bright future ahead of her.”
Maximo, a 5-foot, 6-inch product from Uberlandia, Brazil, had 31 aces and 481 digs this past season.
More about Suvarioglu’s signing
“I am happy that Karya has found a home at NAU where she will be able to grow and develop the next three years,” Figueiredo said. “Karya redshirted this past year after transferring from New Mexico Military Institute. She was a great asset in the gym and helped us get better. We wish her the best in her career and will be following her steps.”
Suvarioglu is originally from Mugla, Turkey.
More about Assis’ signing
Assis, a 5-foot, 9-inch product from Chapadao do Ceu, Brazil, led the team in kills this season with 571 (4.68 per set), second most in the nation among NJCAA Division I hitters. She also hit .310 and had 324 digs, 26 service aces, 22 total blocks and 611.5 points.
“We are happy for Assis as she transfers to UTRGV after two successful years here at MSU-WP,” Figueiredo said. “Assis led us in kills and kills per set this past season and finished second in the nation in NJCAA’s kills and kills per set rankings. We are excited for her future and looking forward to watching her lead the Vaqueros.”
