WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Paty Figueiredo, interim head coach of the Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Volleyball team, announced the signing of two more players to the squad for the 2023-24 season.
They are:
• middle blocker Kaitlyn Aleshire, Aurora, Illinois
• outside hitter Iolanda Tercariol, São Paulo, Brazil
More about Aleshire
Aleshire, who is a varsity scholar athlete at West Aurora High School, said the success of the Grizzly program on the national level and its reputation for hard work captured her interest.
“When looking for a school to play at, I wanted to find a place where I would be pushed to reach a goal and to improve myself as a player,” she said. “Also, the team seemed to be very close and bonded, which is key in a great volleyball program.”
“Kaitlyn will be an important addition to our team,” Figueiredo said. “She is a middle blocker who seems to connect well with the setter and will be able to adjust quickly to our tempo and to our game system. She is used to being a key player for her club team and connected well with her teammates and coaches.
“As a middle blocker, she is a quick hitter and works hard to make herself available,” the coach added. “She reads well when blocking, and that will be a great asset to our defensive system.
“We were extremely excited with Kaitlyn’s enthusiasm and gratitude for joining our team and family. Kaitlyn is a team player and, after talking to her, we knew that she will be a player who will appreciate the opportunity to be part of the Grizzly family and will work hard to achieve the team’s goals,” Figueiredo said.
More about Tercariol
Tercariol has won numerous awards in both court and beach volleyball in her native country, including the Volleyball Parana Championship, the Brazilian Interclub Championship in both court and beach volleyball, and the “Cidade Maravilhosa Championship, to name a few. She also was named MVP of the Minas Championship.
Tercariol said she the cozy atmosphere of MSU-WP and the Grizzly “spirit” prompted her to sign with the team. “The program values companionship a lot, and I think it’s one of the most important things on a good team,” she explained. “I love training and study, and I believe that the process is equally as important as the result, and I love to see the evolution when I’m in this process.”
“Iolanda brings a lot of experience playing for great clubs and coaches in Brazil,” Figueiredo said. “She has played different positions in her career, which gives her a lot of understanding of the game, and I’m sure she will be able to apply that in different areas of the game.
“Iolanda is an experienced outside hitter with great ball control,” the coach continued. “She is a strong, smart hitter who has been training hard indoors and on the sand in preparation for the fall. She has a passion for the game, she knows that success takes a lot of work and team effort.
“Iolanda and her family fell in love with the history, culture and spirit of our Grizzly Volleyball program, and I am sure she will add immensely to our Grizzly family and make a positive impact on our program and community,” Figueiredo said.
Another Grizzly moving on
Figueiredo also announced that Lily Merrill, a 5-foot, 11-inch right side/outside hitter from Tulsa, Oklahoma, is transferring to Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva.
During this past season, Merrill recorded 35 kills and nine blocks.
“We are very happy Lily found a good fit to continue her collegiate career at Northwestern Oklahoma State,” Figueiredo said. “Lily was a committed and hard-working player with a team mindset, and her actions showed her commitment to the program on and off the court. She was a great hitter who helped us in the middle and on the right side. I know she will have a lot of success in her life, and we will always root for her.”
For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit the team’s website, MSUWPGrizzlies.com.
