WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Some familiar names among the upper echelons of junior college volleyball can be found on the Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzlies’ schedule this season.
Perennial powers such as New Mexico Military Institute, Trinity Valley Community College, Tyler Junior College, Hutchinson Community College and Iowa Western Community College all will face the Grizzlies this spring when the 2020-2021 season starts.
“Our fingers will be crossed this season,” Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paula Wiedemann said, noting the season was delayed by NJCAA officials because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are hoping for the chance to play and host some really good teams.
“We’ll open season with the New Mexico Military Invitational Tournament Jan. 22-23, and then Feb. 5-6, we’ll host our own Grizzly Invitational. Both tournaments will be competitive and should be lots of fun. Our girls, as well as many others, will be grateful for the opportunity to compete this spring,” she added.
Wiedemann also expects tough challenges from the Grizzlies’ Region 16 opponents – Jefferson College in Hillsboro and Mineral Area College in Park Hills.
“Our region opponents will always be teams we will have to respect,” she said. “Our region has been well represented for many years at the national level. We’re looking for another region championship this year in order to put ourselves in a good position going into the district championship, and ultimately, the national tournament.”
The Grizzlies’ tough schedule should help that effort. “If we do well with it and learn from it, it will help us going into the postseason,” the coach said.
Leading the way will be three returning Grizzlies and a strong freshman recruiting class. “We have some special freshmen this year who will make a huge impact with the help of our three star sophomores,” Wiedemann said.
Returning sophomores include:
• Maju Loureiro, a 5-foot, 8-inch outside/opposite attacker from Curitiba, Brazil;
• Julieta Campana, a 6-foot, 1-inch setter from Bahia Blanca, Argentina;
• Nayla Watkins, a 5-foot, 11-inch middle from Evanston, Illinois;
Joining them are these eight freshmen:
• Macey Griffin, a 5-foot, 6-inch libero/defensive specialist from Wylie, Texas;
• Imani Nicholson, a 5-foot, 10-inch outside/opposite hitter from Mobile, Alabama;
• Lauren Weber, a 5-foot, 9-inch opposite/outside attacker from Nixa, Missouri;
• Ashton Wildermuth, a 5-foot, 7-inch setter from Willard, Missouri;
• Angelina Hardison, a 6-foot, 2-inch opposite/middle hitter from Houston, Texas;
• Kennadi Harris, a 5-foot, 7-inch right side/outside attacker from Little Elm, Texas;
• Manuela Bibinbe, a 6-foot, 3-inch middle blocker from Yaounde, Cameroon;
• Cecilia Westfall, a 6-foot, 1-inch right side attacker/setter from Ozark, Missouri
The skill set these players bring to the court give the Grizzlies a lot of versatility, the coach said.
“We feel confident in each position. Despite a smaller team (in numbers), the progress the girls have shown since August has been very fun to watch. The team we recruited and the team we have this spring are different, but what we want to accomplish is still in front of us. We didn’t have everyone here in the fall to train, but those who were here are better,” Wiedemann said.
“The reality of how hard it can be to work through a season is compounded by all the adjustments created by the pandemic. You have to figure out how to make things happen with what you have in front of you. From day one we have talked about making a plan, executing that plan, and adjusting when necessary,” she added.
“We are a young team, overall. Our ability to adjust quickly and still properly execute will be their greatest challenge, and hopefully their greatest accomplishment” she said.
The Grizzlies will be put to the test early when they open their season at the New Mexico Military Invitational. Their home-opening tournament will feature New Mexico Military, Tyler, Hutchinson, Trinity Valley, Jefferson College and Iowa Western (for Friday only), all of whom have seen time in the national poll and at the national tournament
They also will compete in the Hutch Blue Dragon Invitational Feb. 19-20.
Other home games include Jefferson on Feb. 23, Mineral Area March 2 and St. Louis Community College March 9.
“Our ability to put ourselves in a great position against anyone because of our passing and defense will be a priority,” Wiedemann said. “Being efficient offensively is always important. That’s what makes the difference for us to pick up big games against good teams.”
“Solid passing and defense give you confidence to do things offensively. That is the piece that gives you the opportunities to earn points. We need to be relentless in how we play the game,” she explained.
Wiedemann is hoping fans will be able to watch the Grizzlies in person, but it will take everyone doing their part to make that happen. That includes wearing a mask, keeping socially distant and following all the safety protocols for university events.
She pointed out the Grizzly Volleyball team must follow COVID-19 guidelines established by MSU-WP, the NJCAA and Region 16 to compete this season. As a result, seating capacity limits in the civic center will be followed, and social distancing and masking will be required throughout the games.
Anyone age 10 and above will be required to wear a mask. Children age 2 through 9 are highly recommended to wear a mask. Fans also will be expected to remain in their ticketed seats throughout the games, except when needing to visit the restrooms.
Those planning to attend the Grizzly home games this season should have their masks on when they enter the civic center. Masks will need to remain on throughout the games, including while seated in the stands.
Ushers will be available to help with seating and to offer friendly reminders about the masking requirements.
Game tickets are now available the West Plains Civic Center, where they can be obtained through contactless purchasing from the center’s exclusive ticketing vendor, Ticketmaster, university officials have said.
Ticketmaster, university officials have explained, has social distancing protocols included in its ticket sales. The system automatically creates three seats between groups of tickets sold at the point of sale in real time to help with social distancing guidelines.
Season tickets can be purchased through the civic center. Call 417-256-8087 or visit the civic center box office at 110 St. Louis St.
Individual game tickets are available at https://www.ticketmaster.com/west-plains-civic-center-tickets-west-plains/venue/50524; the Grizzly Athletics website, msuwpgrizzlies.com; direct through Ticketmaster; or by calling the civic center at 417-256-8087.
For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, including the full schedule, visit its website at https://www.msuwpgrizzlies.com/sports/wvball/index.
Meet the Players
Maju Loureiro: “Maju’s ability to take over in a game and have her team follow her is a big plus when she makes it happen. We want her bringing that confidence and intensity out of her teammates. She has not been able to get here until this semester due to travel bans, but we are thrilled for her return and eager to see that spark in her.”
Julieta Campana: “Juli is as consistent as setters can be. In addition to running the floor, she has become an offensive threat, and her stability will be very helpful in maintaining our game. Her level-headedness and decision-making create a flow for the team.”
Nayla Watkins: “Nayla is a long and athletic middle with a high ceiling. From last season to now, she has improved in all areas of the game. She works hard and is willing to continue to learn. She will be an important piece for us to have various lineups.”
Macey Griffin: “Macey is an aggressive defensive player who wants to run the back row. She reads the ball well and puts herself in good positions to dig the ball. With her ability to focus on consistency, she will become incredibly difficult to beat.”
Imani Nicholson: “Imani has a feisty personality and brings a competitiveness her teammates can feed off of. She has many shots, and her defense and passing will continue to keep her on the floor as a six-rotation player. Her personality really shows during her play, making her fun to watch. ”
Lauren Weber: “Lauren is a local kid we were lucky to get. She’s from a very competitive high school program, and she knows what it takes to be on a championship team. Her physical strength will create so many opportunities for her to excel in all positions.”
Ashton Wildermuth: “Ashton was another local player we were excited to sign. Her athleticism will allow her to run a crafty offense with an aggressive nature to it. She can maintain control and flow even when pushed out of system, and as that continues to improve, it will be hard to take our momentum.”
Angelina Hardison: “Angie is a big player who will put up a good block and be able to produce a lot of points for us. She can play any position along the net and do it well. It will be cool to watch her develop with defense and passing, too, hopefully becoming a six-rotation player.”
Kennadi Harris: “Kennadi is a kid with a huge jump and a heavy arm. Her power will match up with pretty much anyone, and her enthusiasm on the court is tied to her fun personality. She will be able to create a lot of energy on the court that her teammates will latch onto.”
Manuela Bibinbe: “Manuela is a long 6-foot, 3-inch player who will come in with some steadiness, an ease to her game, and be immediate presence on the floor. She has the ability to dominate the net and play aggressively, and she’ll be a huge asset to our offensive strategy.”
Cecilia Westfall: “We are very lucky to have Ceci join our team this spring. She is a big presence on the court, and she will continue to improve each day. She is determined to be great and that can be contagious. She also is our one-and-only lefty on this year’s team, and we are going to have a lot of fun working with that!”
