Freshman Shelby Corkill led the Griffons to a 3-2 (28-26, 22-25, 25-19, 25-27, 15-9) thrilling victory over the Pittsburg State Gorillas. Corkill finished with a career high 26 kills hitting .309 in the match. Her 26 kills are the most for a Griffon since Lindsay Fuller recorded 28 on September 10, 2003 at Central Missouri. Western improves to 11-11 overall and 4-5 in MIAA play.
The first two sets were very competitive with both teams wining one. Western took set one 28-26 hitting .240 with 18 kills. Corkill and Tahler Johnston each recorded six in the set. The Gorillas led all the way in set two hitting .209 with 12 kills with Brooke Fay collecting six in the set. The Gorillas evened the match up at one with the 25-22 victory.
After two sets the Griffons were hitting .200 with 36 kills. Corkill led the way with 15 while Stephanie Hattey recorded 30 set assists. Sarah Faubel had 15 digs with the Griffons recording 55. The Gorillas were led by Fay with eight of the Gorillas 28 kills after the first two sets.
Western came out of the break on fire forcing the Gorillas into a .000 hitting percentage. With the score tied at 11 the Griffons were able to push outscoring the Gorillas 14-8 earning the 25-19 set victory. Western had 15 kills hitting .171 in the set.
Western looked to be in control of the fourth set being up 20-10 but the Gorillas never gave up closing the match on a 17-5 run tying the set at two with the 27-25 set victory. Set five belonged to the Griffons as they closed the set on an 11-5 run earning the victory and stay undefeated at home on the season.
Western finished the match with 71 kills with Johnston finishing the 20 kills and Alex Behnke chipping in 10. Hattey finished with a career high 60 of the Griffons 68 set assists while Faubel had 23 of the Griffons 89 digs.
The Gorillas had 57 kills with Fay collecting 12 kills. Rebecca Pearson had 34 set assists while Christa McCaw had 36 of their 84 digs. The Gorillas fall to 7-17 overall and 4-7 in MIAA play.
Western returns to action on homecoming Saturday when they host the Southwest Baptist Bearcats on October 22. Game time is set for 7:00 pm from the MWSU Fieldhouse.
— MWSU Sports Information —