Missouri Southern State University Athletics

Prior To Southern
Grace Gardner transferred to Missouri Southern after playing three seasons at Drury University. Appeared in 214 career matches (63 sets) with the Panthers. Registered 211 kills with 81 assists, 11 aces, 153 digs and 72 blocks for 260.5 points over her career at Drury. Posted 73 kills over her junior season in 2025. Notched career-best 136 kills (1.58 per set), 73 assists, 83 digs and 43 blocks over sophomore season (22 starts in 24 matches) in 2024. Recorded season highs of 10 kills vs. Upper Iowa (Oct. 12, 2024) and William Jewell (Nov. 8, 2024). Tallied career bests in both assists (38) and digs (14) vs. McKendree (Nov. 15, 2024). Named a 2026 Academic All-GLVC selection.  

Completed standout prep career at Springfield Kickapoo High School. Earned Missouri Class 5 All-State honors as a senior in 2022. Helped the Chiefs to a 31-9 overall record and state runner-up finish in their first Missouri Final Four berth since 1995.

Personal
Grace Gardner is the daughter of Doug and Amy Gardner. Majoring in graphic design with a minor in marketing and management/web communications design at Missouri Southern. Grace's mother, Amy, served as Drury volleyball head coach from 2004-08, and father, Doug, was an All-American offensive lineman at Missouri State (1985-88). Grace's sister, Hannah, plays volleyball at Missouri State.