Sophomore Jessie Thorup led the Missouri Western volleyball team with a career high 21 kills as they defeated Fort Hays State in their home opener Tuesday 3-1 (25-22, 25-20, 21-25, 25-21).

The Griffons had a season best 72 defensive digs and a season best 68 kills as they improve to 4-7 overall and 2-1 in MIAA play.

Western opened up set one hitting .213 with 17 kills. The Griffons used a 13-8 eight run midway through the first set claiming an 18-12 lead after an Amanda Boender kill. Boender finished the set with four kills hitting .375. Boender also got the winning kill in the first set as MWSU won 25-22.

In set two, Missouri Western used another run to get the victory. With the Griffons leading 17-16 the used a 8-4 run closing out the match and claiming a 2-0 lead after a 25-20 set two victory. MWSU had 17 kills in the set with Jessie Thorup getting two. After two set she led the Griffons with eight kills.

In set three, Western got down early and could not come back falling 25-21. Thorup had eight more kills in the set pushing her total to 16 after three sets.

In fourth and final set the Griffons had 17 more kills hitting .238 in the set. Thorup had five more kills while Kelsey Olion had four. Boender put the match away with one of her 11 kills.

In the match, Missouri Western had 17 kills in all four sets tallying 68 in the match. Erica Rottinghaus finished with 13 kills while Olion had 12. Jordan Chohon had 30 of the Griffons 30 set assists while Sarah Faubel led the way with 25 digs.

Fort Hays State falls to 0-9 on the season and 0-4 in MIAA play. The Tigers finished with 48 kills with Taylor Mares leading the way with 13. Libby Ary had 18 set assists while Madison Schwartz and Makenzie Weinman had 11 digs apiece.

Missouri Western returns to action on Friday, September 27 on the road against #5 Central Missouri. Match time is set for 7:00 pm in the UCM Multipurpose Building.

— MWSU Sports Information —