Grizzly Volleyball adds Nixa standout for 2020 season

The Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Volleyball team has added a standout from the 2019 state champion Nixa High School team to its roster for the 2020 season.

Head Coach Paula Wiedemann announced today that outside hitter Laruen Weber signed a national letter of intent to play for the Grizzlies beginning next fall.

"We are very excited about Lauren becoming a part of our Grizzly Volleyball family," Wiedemann said. "She brings a high level of expectation coming from a state championship program and an understanding of what goes in to being a great team."

Championship effort

The 5-foot, 8-inch attacker helped guide her Eagles team to a 25-17, 25-22 win over Lafayette Wildwood in the 2019 Class 4A State Championship. She led the team in kills (7), digs (11) and points earned (10) during the contest.

"Her ability to play both the offensive and defensive side of the game is fun to watch," Wiedemann said. "She has a very calm, but confident, demeanor on the court that makes others around her better. Her all-around game makes her valuable as a player, and her competitiveness makes her even better."

During her high school career, Weber earned all-tournament team honors in the President Day Classic and the Springfield Classic, and was an Athlete of the Week honoree for KOLR 10 in Springfield.

She also received academic all-state honors, honorable mention all-district honors and was a three-year academic letter winner and a two-year varsity letter winner at Nixa. 

For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit its website at https://www.msuwpgrizzlies.com/sports/wvball/index or call 417-255-7950.