ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Western volleyball team recorded its 11th win of the season with a sweep of Pittsburg State Saturday afternoon. The Griffons won 25-19, 25-19, and 25-20 as they improve to 11-4 overall and 3-1 in the MIAA.

Pittsburg State hung tough with the Griffons in all three matches, holding a lead in all three sets of the match. In game one, the Griffons took the lead 18-17 on a kill by Shellby Taylor and held the lead the rest of set one. In the second set, Missouri Western took control of the lead when Pittsburg St. committed two straight errors. Missouri Western controlled the entire third set from the start, taking the lead early and never looked back. The Griffons were able to finish each match strong, scoring the last three points in every match.

The Griffons were led by freshman Rachel Friedrichs as she tallied 10 kills and five blocks on the day. Jessie Thorup was second on the team with nine kills and Taylor recorded eight kills and a kill percentage of .438. Setter Jordan Chohon had 28 assist and also recorded four kills in the match. Four Griffons tallied double-digit kills including Amanda Dalbey, Kayla Ruff, Audrey Kiem, and Chohon.

Maggie Highberger had nine kills and Taylor Unke recorded seven kills to lead Pittsburg St.. Taylyn Schwartz had 17 assist and 18 digs to lead the team in both categories.

Missouri Western will be on the road this coming Tuesday as they take on arch-rival Northwest Missouri State starting at 7 p.m. MWSU head to Central Missouri on Friday and return home for a match on Saturday against Lindenwood at 6 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —