Annual Grizzly Volleyball alumni game set for Aug. 17

Area residents can get their first look at the 2019 Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Volleyball team in action at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, during the annual Grizzly Alumni Volleyball Game at the West Plains Civic Center arena.

The game will pit the 2019 Grizzlies against players from previous squads. The contest is being held in conjunction with the university's Move-In Weekend activities and will be free.

"This is always a fun event for us and our fans," Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paula Wiedemann said. "It's a chance to see this year's team for the first time and some familiar faces from the past."

Wiedemann said she hears from alumni who plan to attend, but pointed out there are always surprises. "You never know who will show up for the game. Something we have to contend with is the fact that so many of our former players are coaches themselves, and they are in the middle of their preseasons, as well," she explained.

"Even so, we hope to have a good group here to play and, as always, it is great to reconnect with our alumni and have our current players meet those who built the culture of our program," Wiedemann added. "Our alumni created an atmosphere of excellence and it's important to not take it for granted."

The alumni will take on a Grizzly team that returns four players from last year's squad:

• Kelly Wiedemann, a 5-foot, 9-inch outside attacker from West Plains;
• Julia Dunning, a 5-foot, 10-inch setter from Queensland, Australia;
• Camilly Cristiny, a 5-foot, 9-inch outside attacker from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
• Emily Moore, a 5-foot, 8-inch libero/defensive specialist from Aurora.

They will be joined by nine incoming freshmen:

• Julieta Campana, a 6-foot, 1-inch setter from Bahia Blanca, Argentina;
• Maria Loureiro, a 5-foot, 9-inch opposite/outside attacker from Curitiba, Brazil;
• Priscilla Crowell, a 5-foot, 4-inch libero/defensive specialist from Houston, Texas;
• Najla Bray, a 5-foot, 11-inch middle from Beachwood, Ohio;
• Allie Hall, a 5-foot, 6-inch libero/defensive specialist from Plato;
• Nayla Watkins-Johnson, a 5-foot, 11-inch middle from Evanston, Illinois;
• Allisann Nichols, a 5-foot, 4-inch libero/defensive specialist from Strafford;
• Daniela Poles, a 5-foot, 10-inch opposite/outside attacker from Codogne, Italy;
• Gaelle Wambo, a 5-foot, 9-inch middle/outside attacker from Foumban, Cameroon.

"It's always great to see our alumni, and there are so many people who enjoy the event – the players, alumni, coaches, former host families, and campus and community fans who were involved with the alumni when they were at Missouri State-West Plains as student athletes," Wiedemann said. "We invite everyone to come out, watch this year's alumni match and meet the 2019 Grizzlies!"

For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit its website at https://www.msuwpgrizzlies.com/sports/wvball/index.