Date: October 26, 2009
Contact: Paula Wiedemann, Head Coach
Grizzly Volleyball Office
417-255-7950

    HILLSBORO, Mo. – Add another tournament title to the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Volleyball team’s resume this season.
    The eighth-ranked Grizzlies (22-8) took the championship of the Jefferson College Invitiational Tournament this past weekend in Hillsboro, Mo., after defeating the host team 25-19, 25-21, 25-20 on Friday, Oct. 23, and Indian Hills Community College of Ottumwa, Iowa, 25-16, 25-12, 22-25, 25-12 Saturday, Oct. 24.
    “It was a good weekend,” Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paula Wiedemann said.  “We did some good things.  We knew it was going to be intense, but we did the things we needed to do and served very well.  It was a very good weekend to get through.”
    Sophomore middle attacker Kate Stepanova led the Grizzlies’ offensive attack during the tournament with 41 kills on 88 attempts with four errors for an attacking percentage of .420.  She also had seven aces and led the team in points earned with 53.  Sophomore outside attacker Briana Walsh followed with 36 kills on 78 attempts with 11 errors for an attacking percentage of .320.
    Sophomore right side attacker Lindsey Hale had an effective offensive performance at the net, recording 26 kills on 50 attempts with two errors for an attacking percentage of .480.  Sophomore setter/outside attacker Patricia Figueiredo also had a strong offensive showing with 27 kills on 50 attempts with five errors for an attacking percentage of .440.  Figueiredo also led the team in assists with 58.
    “Lindsey Hale, Kate Stepanova and Bri Walsh all had some good performances,” Wiedemann said.  “Danielle Parker also really started playing better.  She’s always been a steady player, but she is getting back to playing the way she had been earlier in the season.”  Parker, a sophomore middle attacker, had 12 kills on 27 attempts with three errors for an attacking percentage of .333.  She also had eight blocks.
    Redshirt freshman middle attacker Sabina Papala led the Grizzlies’ defensive effort at the net with nine blocks, two of which were solos.  Stepanova led the team in digs with 40, followed closely by freshman defensive specialist Janel Glidden with 39.  Stepanova and freshman setter Lia Havili co-led the team in aces with seven each.
    Prior to the tournament, the Grizzlies played Region 16 rival Mineral Area College Thursday, Oct. 22, in Park Hills, Mo., and defeated the Cardinals 25-17, 20-25, 25-17, 25-17.
    The Grizzlies will close out the regular season at home Friday, Oct. 30, when they host Lake Land College at 6 p.m. in the West Plains Civic Center in a match that is being sponsored by Ozarks Medical Center.
    The Grizzlies also will serve as hosts of the Region 16 Championship Tournament Nov. 6-7 at the West Plains Civic Center.  More information about the tournament will be announced at a later date.
    For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball program, visit the team’s Web site at http://www.websightmaster.com/grizzly/.