Entering her third year as head coach of the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzlies, Paula Wiedemann is looking to return the Grizzlies to the NJCAA National Championships.  A native of Jenks, Okla., over the past fourteen seasons Wiedemann helped develop eleven Region 16 Championship teams, eleven consecutive NJCAA National Championship appearances, 25 NJCAA All-Americans, 70 All-Region players, 6 teams which finished in the Final-Four of the NJCAA National Championships, 10 NJCAA Academic All-Americans, 7 NJCAA Academic Team of the Year awards and an overall record of 556-145 . 
During her first year as head coach she led the Grizzlies to a 27-9 record and a 2nd place finish in the 2009 NJCAA Division I National Volleyball Championships.  It was the third runner-up finish for the Grizzlies in the past eight seasons.  Two Grizzlies, Kate Stepanova and Patricia Figueiredo, were named NJCAA and AVCA First-Team All-Americans.  The team also earned a 2009 Fall Academic Team Award and two Grizzlies earned Academic All-American awards - Danielle Parker (NJCAA Distinguished Academic All-American) and Abbey Roam (NJCAA Academic All-American).

In the 2010 campaign a very young Grizzly team showed improvement throughout the season, however they fell short of their goal of reaching the NJCAA National Championship Tournament for the 12th consecutive year.  Finishing the year with an 18-17 record, the Grizzlies look to again return to the top of Region 16.  Sophomore Lia Havili was named NJCAA Honorable Mention All-American for her efforts during the season.  The team also earned 2010 Academic Team Award and sophomore Janel Glidden was awarded Superior Academic Achievement by the NJCAA (formerly Distinguished Academic All-American award).

“Coach Wiedemann has been an important part of Grizzly Volleyball for over a decade,” Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Dr. Drew Bennett said.  “She knows the campus, the community and the competition.”
“Paula is an outstanding athlete and coach,” added Dr. Herb Lunday, Dean of Student Services and Athletic Director.  “She was a collegiate All-American and even played professionally for a time.  She knows the game of volleyball very well, has outstanding rapport with student-athletes and is highly respected by her coaching peers.  We think the Lady

Grizzlies’ tradition of excellence is in good hands.”
As a player Wiedemann set the standard for volleyball excellence as a player at Drury University in Springfield.  A letterman each year from 1985 to 1988, Wiedemann was the first volleyball player to receive NAIA All-American honors by being named honorable mention in 1987 and to the NAIA All-American Second Team in 1988.  She left Drury ranked first in career kills and career digs, the latter of which is second on the all-time list for NAIA records nationwide.  The Lady Panthers were nationally ranked during her sophomore, junior and senior years, reaching as high as No. 5 during her senior season, and the team won the district championship – Drury’s first ever district championship – her senior year.

After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Corporate Fitness in 1989, she rejoined the Lady Panthers team as an assistant coach for two years while earning her Master’s degree in Education-Exercise and Sport Science from the university.  The Lady Panthers posted an overall record of 65-40 during her tenure, and in 1990, the team was a district finalist.  As an assistant at Drury, Wiedemann helped develop one NAIA All-American and four all-district players.

Wiedemann obtained her first head coaching position in August 1992 at East Central College in Union, Mo. where she led the Lady Rebels to Region 16 regional championship semi-final appearances all three years. She also has served as program director/coach for Junior Olympic volleyball programs for 18 years.

In addition, Wiedemann played volleyball professionally.  She was the starting outside hitter for the Kansas City Lightning of the National Volleyball Association (NVA).  In their first season, the Lightning won the regular season title and was one match away from the NVA finals.  She also was a member of Power Angle, a USAV women’s team and was a two-time All-American in 1997 and 1998 at the USAV National Tournaments.

Paula and her husband, Warren, have three daughters, Kelly (11), Lily (4) and Emma (1).  

Missouri State University-West Plains
Head Volleyball Coach
417-255-7950 office
417-274-0219 cell
417-255-7952 fax

paulawiedemann@missouristate.edu