The Griffon volleyball team fell on Tuesday evening on the road in non-conference action in four sets (25-20, 19-25, 25-17, 25-23) against the Rockhurst University Hawks. Freshman outside hitter Jessie Thorup led the way with a career high 13 kills as the Griffons fall to 8-6 on the season.
Set one did not start well for the Griffons as Rockhurst opened the match on an 8-2 run. The Griffons answered with a 5-0 run cutting the Hawks lead to one after an Amanda Boender kill. Once again the Hawks used a run to open up a big lead this time they went on an 8-3 run opening up a 16-10 lead and cruised to the 25-20 opening set victory.
In set two the Griffons were the aggressor opening up a 9-4 lead after service ace by Holly Pollock. The Hawks used another run to get back into the set going on a 11-6 run tying the score at 15 after a ball handling error by Jordan Chohon. The Griffons regained their composure closing set to on a 10-4 run winning 25-19 and tying the match at one set apiece.
In set three the Griffons could not get anything going getting down 17-7 before they closed on a 10-8 run but it wasn’t enough falling in set three 25-17.
The fourth set was a back and fourth battle with neither team getting ahead by more than five. MWSU jumped out to an early 7-4 lead but another run by Rockhurst this time an 14-8 run put the Hawks up 18-15. The Hawks pushed the score to 24-19 before the Griffons used a 4-0 run cutting the lead to one. Unfortunately that would be the closest MWSU would get as the Hawks won the set 25-23 and the match 3-1. Rockhurst improves to 12-2 with the victory.
The Griffons hit .153 with 54 kills in the match. Boender had 10 kills while Stephanie Hattey had nine kills, season highs 34 set assits and 16 digs. Sarah Faubel led the way defensively with a season high 31 digs.
The Hawks were led by Kelsey Stratman with 15 kills while Maggie Hummel and Katie Loescher both had 11. Whitney Kostal had 47 set assists and 12 digs.
The Griffons return to MIAA action on Friday, September 28 when they travel to Kirksville, Mo. to take on the Truman State Bulldogs. Match time is set for 7:00 pm from Pershing Arena.
— MWSU Sports Information —