WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Paula Wiedemann, head coach of the Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) Grizzly Volleyball team, has announced the signing of four more players for the 2022-2023 season.
They include:
• Asli Erdi, a 5-foot, 11-inch middle blocker from Izmir, Turkey
• Aly Reeser, a 5-foot, 7-inch defensive specialist/libero from Loveland, Colorado
• Lily Merrill, a 5-foot, 10-inch right side/outside hitter from Tulsa, Oklahoma
Asli Erdi
Erdi is transferring to MSU-WP from Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington. She played in all 20 games for the Lancers and recorded a .307 hitting percentage and 45 total blocks and earned 110.5 points for the team.
“We are looking forward to seeing what Asli can do stepping into a key position for us,” Wiedemann said. “As a middle, she’s extremely fast and smart with her block. She’s efficient and is a consistent option for her setter. We think she will step in and be an important part of our team dynamic.”
Aly Reeser
For the second time in volleyball program history, the Grizzlies will have a set of twins on their roster when the 2022 season starts. Reeser is joining her sister, Alexis, who signed with the Grizzlies in April. The Grizzlies’ first set of twins were Houston’s Lexie and Trezha Malam, who played during the 2007 season.
Aly was a four-year varsity starter for Resurrection High School in Loveland and helped the team reach the state quarterfinals in three of those seasons. She received second team all-conference honors her junior and senior seasons and was second on the team in total digs from her sophomore to senior season with 820. She led the team in passing percentage during this same time frame and recorded 124 career aces and 321 career kills.
“We’re thrilled to get Aly signed here! We believe the combination of her and Alexis on the court is going to be special,” Wiedemann said. “Aly was a six-rotation outside for her high school and club team. Her ability to pass and play defense make her a player we needed to have. Her role as a defensive player will offer more stability with how she controls the ball.”
Lily Merrill
Merrill was a three-year varsity starter for the Tulsa NOAH (Northeast Oklahoma Association of Homeschools) volleyball team. In 2019, she helped her team win the gold ball at the National Christian Homeschool Volleyball Championship (NCHVC), and in 2020, she helped guide her team to the silver ball trophy at the NCHVC. In 2021, Merrill served as team captain and was awarded the MVP award by her teammates and coaches. She also made the all-tournament team for 18-under girls.
“We were very fortunate to get a chance to bring Lily in on a visit,” Wiedemann said. “Immediately, she made an impact on us and the team. She cares about the progressions she will make as an athlete and wants to continue to see the results of the hard work she puts in. She was already picking up on new techniques in her short time here, and we are confident she will hit the ground running come fall.”
For more information about the Grizzly Volleyball team, visit MSUWPGrizzlies.com or call 417-255-7950.
