WEST PLAINS, Mo. – It took a total team effort for the Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Volleyball team to win all four of its games at the Grizzly Invitational Tournament at the West Plains Civic Center.
The No. 8 Grizzlies, now 18-5, defeated Hutchinson Community College 25-16, 25-16, 25-20; Trinity Valley Community College 25-17, 25-20, 25-20; No. 12 Tyler Junior College 25-20, 25-17, 25-27, 20-25, 15-13; and Jefferson College 24-26, 25-22, 25-18, 19-25, 15-5 at the two-day event.
“It was a big weekend, going 4-0 against the teams we played,” Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paula Wiedemann said. “On Friday, we swept Hutchinson for a second time and avenged a loss to Trinity Valley with a sweep, then fought through two five-set games against No. 12 Tyler and region rival Jefferson on Saturday.
“Saturday’s games were the tough, hard-hitting games we needed in order to keep taking lessons from this season,” she added. “As a team we can always learn something from the games we play.”
One thing the Grizzlies learned is that success comes from a balanced attack at the net. Freshman outside hitter Ilana Assis led the team in kills with 54 and in points earned with 60. Redshirt freshman middle blocker Manuela Bibinbe and freshman middle blocker Alana Moesch were close behind with 45 and 44 kills, respectively, and 57 and 56 points earned, respectively.
Bibinbe and Moesch also led the Grizzly attackers in efficiency. Bibinbe recorded a .384 attacking percentage for the tournament, while Moesch hit .314.
“We continue to spread our offense around and get everyone involved, and our hitters are being productive and efficient for the most part,” Wiedemann said.
“Ceci Westfall and Angie Hardison continue to score big points in big moments for us, and had 41 and 38 total points each,” the coach added.
Freshman setter Doga Kutlu had a team-leading 158 assists to go with her 17 kills and .400 attacking percentage.
“Doga has continued to be an offensive threat, which makes it so much more difficult on the opposing team. You have to keep track of her, or she’ll make you pay,” Wiedemann said.
Defensively, the Grizzlies were led by redshirt freshman libero Lauren Weber with 86 digs for an average of 5.4 per set.
“She keeps the ball off the floor and gives our offense a chance to score,” Wiedemann said of Weber’s efforts. “She also led us in passing and is such a leader on the floor for us. Our offense is only as good as our passing, so you can see how solid we are when our hitters are getting to take big swing after big swing.”
Bibinbe led the team in blocks for the tournament with nine, and Moesch and Hardison led the team in service aces with six apiece.
The Grizzlies will host Lewis and Clark Community College from Godfrey, Illinois, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, before returning to the road for next week.
For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit its website at msuwpgrizzlies.com/sports/wvball/index.