Coach Joelle Mafo Inducted Into Missouri State University – West Plains Hall of Fame

Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains have inducted former Grizzly Volleyball standout Mafo Joelle (2005-2006) into the Grizzly Athletics Hall of Fame.

The ceremony took place during halftime activities of Wednesday’s basketball game between the Grizzlies and State Fair Community College at the West Plains Civic Center.

A good crowd of Grizzly Volleyball and Basketball fans were on hand for the ceremony and many stayed after the game to celebrate with Joelle.

Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paula Wiedemann recognized Joelle and highlighted her accomplishments.Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains have inducted former Grizzly Volleyball standout Mafo Joelle (2005-2006) into the Grizzly Athletics Hall of Fame.

Joelle’s accomplishments as a Grizzly

The 5-foot, 11-inch left-handed outside/middle attacker from Yaounde, Cameroon, was known for her big lefty arm swing when she arrived in fall 2005. That swing made an immediate impact for the Grizzlies, and her improvements throughout the season only added to the team’s effectiveness and success on the court.

On a team that featured four future Grizzly Hall of Famers, Joelle led the Grizzlies in multiple categories on several occasions her freshman season from the middle attacker position, picking up two all-tournament team honors during the regular season and an All-Region 16 accolade in the postseason. She even recorded one of the program’s highest hitting percentages on Nov. 1, 2005, when she recorded a .909 against State Fair Community College.

In the 2005 NJCAA Division I Women’s National Volleyball Championship Tournament, Joelle led the team in kills against Midland College in the first round and against College of Southern Idaho in the semifinals, and she had 19 kills against Western Nebraska Community College to help the Grizzlies secure a third-place win. Her efforts earned her a spot on the all-tournament team.

During her sophomore season, Joelle moved to the outside hitting position, but she still set the tone for the team, recording 17 kills in the first game. She continued leading the team at the net until a shoulder injury sidelined her in mid-September. “Even when she was out due to a shoulder injury, she stayed engaged and involved, so when she returned, the team was ready for her to be back on the court,” Wiedemann said.

Joelle returned a month and a half…