Annual Grizzly Volleyball alumni game set for Aug. 12

Area residents can get their first look at the 2023 Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Volleyball team in action at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, during the annual Grizzly Alumni Volleyball Game at the West Plains Civic Center arena.

The game will pit the 2023 Grizzlies against players from previous squads.

Those attending also will see the 2023 West Plains High School Zizzer volleyball team in action for the first time. They will scrimmage at 1:30 p.m.

"I am really excited about this," said Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paty Figueiredo. "As a Grizzly alumna and first year as head coach, I cannot wait to have everyone at the civic center!

"It is always a special time, as we get to celebrate the players and coaches who have been part of the program and have made it possible to be where we are today," Figueiredo continued. "It is important that everyone recognizes their impact on this program and for our new student-athletes to learn how special it is to be a Grizzly."

"We're also excited to have our alumni game following the Zizzers' scrimmage and we invite all their fans to stay and cheer on our players, as well."

The alumni will take on a Grizzly team that returns one player from last year's squad, Lauryn Farish, a right-side hitter from Springfield.

Newcomers include:

- Raphaela Felisberto, a setter from Minas Gerais, Brazil

- Rosa Brenčič, an outside/right side hitter from Ljubljana, Slovenia

- Maja Bochenek, a middle blocker from Olkusz, Poland

 - Wiktoria Jakubik, an outside hitter from Grajewo, Poland

- Eduarda Portes, a libero/defensive specialist from Paraná, Brazil

- Iolanda Terçariol, an outside hitter from São Paulo, Brazil

- Gibson Beckler, an outside hitter from Conway

- Kaitlyn Aleshire, a middle blocker from Aurora, Illinois

- Caroline Glatkowski, a setter from Erfurt, Germany

- Kyra Mueller, a libero/defensive specialist from Grain Valley

- Ambria Rupp, a middle blocker from Austin, Texas

“It is hard to know who among our alumni will be able to join us, but we hope to see many familiar faces," Figueiredo said. "It is important to remember our alumni and celebrate them even if they are not able to play the game."

Admission is free, so Figueiredo hopes everyone can join them for this special event. "It is a unique moment for our student-athletes to connect with our alumni and former coaches who have done so much for our program, as well as the community, host families, faculty and staff, fans, booster club members, supporters and area kids, since we want our Grizzly players to be a role model for them," she said. "It will be a wonderful opportunity to meet the 2023 Grizzly Volleyball team!"

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