Grizzly Volleyball signs three players to 2024-2025 squad

Paty Figueiredo, head coach of the Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Volleyball team has announced the signing of three players to the 2024-2025 team. They are:

• Victoria Mulato, a 5-foot, 11-inch outside/right side hitter from Cali, Colombia
• Bianca Salvador, a 5-foot, 7-inch outside hitter from Porto Alegre, Brazil
• Mariana Franco, a 5-foot, 10-inch setter from Cali, Colombia

More about Mulato

Mulato comes to the Grizzlies from one of the top three teams in Columbia. Her power, speed and energy will help her stand out on the court, Figueiredo said.

"She is an incredibly determined hitter who will be able to contribute on both pins and be a strong hitting option on the back row," Figueiredo said. "She is a player used to playing intense matches where she is the go-to hitter. She also puts up a great block and is a player who plays defense with a lot of heart. We cannot wait for her to be here in the fall to start her journey as a Grizzly!"

Mulato said what attracted her most about the Grizzly Volleyball program was the "good connection and vibe" of the coaches and players, "and the support they gave me from the beginning." She also is thankful for her parents' support in choosing to play for the Grizzlies, she said.

She describes herself as a "positive and competitive person" whose personal motto is "discipline is the path to success."

"The Grizzly fans will see a very competitive and happy player who feels every point of the game," she said.

When not playing volleyball, Mulato volunteers with a family foundation in Colombia dedicated to providing sporting opportunities to people with disabilities.

More about Salvador

Salvador is joining the Grizzlies this spring to prepare for the fall season, Figueiredo said. She comes from a well-recognized club in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where she served as team captain and played a key role on the court.

"Bianca plays with a lot of speed and brings excellent ball control," Figueiredo said. "Her experience will help us tremendously as we continue to work on improving our reception and side out percentage. She brings a lot of heat to our team offensively, and we are excited to begin working with Bianca this spring so she can get used to the campus, how things work and get mentally ready for our goals this fall."

Salvador said she was attracted to MSU-WP because of the community and the quality of education available here. She described herself as a very dedicated and determined player who will be committed to the goals of the team. Her personal motto is "be brave enough to be bad at something new."

Salvador said she started playing volleyball at the urging of her aunt. "She was my coach until I was 16. She tried to put all my cousins in volleyball, but none of them liked it, so I was her last chance!"

She also said she was thankful for the support of her family and friends as she takes this next step in her playing career.

More about Franco

Franco also joined the Grizzly Volleyball team this spring after playing for one of the top three clubs in Colombia that was filled with older members who played at a faster pace, Figueiredo said.

"Mari is an enthusiastic and happy girl who, as a setter, will add a dynamism on the court and help our team tremendously," the coach said. "She is a natural setter who enjoys challenges and a precise setter who understands the game and can play and keep her middle blockers in the point. She is a setter who will contribute on defense, as well, with her blocking and serving.

"We are extremely excited to have Mari joining us this spring so she can adapt to our training and our campus and connect with some of our hitters," Figueiredo added.

Franco said she was attracted to MSU-WP's volleyball program by Figueiredo and Assistant Coach Robson Da Costa. "I connected pretty well with them, and they have the same goals that I have," she explained.

She described herself as competitive and passionate and promised Grizzly fans will see "the best setter they've ever seen" when they come to the games next fall. "If you don't see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner," she said.

Franco also said she was thankful for her parents' support of her volleyball career.

For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit its website at MSUWPGrizzlies.com.