ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western volleyball team needed just three sets to win the first of three matches in the final week of the 2015 regular season. Missouri Western battled through the first two sets then controlled the third for a 3-0 win over Northwest Missouri State Thursday inside the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The Griffons had to rally to take set one 25-22 then hung on to win an epic 31-29 second set. Missouri Western saw a 20-13 lead erased in the second set as Northwest scored seven unanswered to tie the set at 20. Northwest would take a 22-21 lead before Missouri Western scored three straight to reach set point. From there, the back-and-forth final points were on as each team reached match point three times before Missouri Western claimed the second set.

The Griffons took control early in the third set and never relinquished, winning the set 25-18 and the match, 3-0 to improve to 21-7 overall and 12-4 in the MIAA. Shellby Taylor led Missouri Western with 11 kills and Ashley Mainord chipped in 10. Rachel Friedrichs had eight kills while Blair Russell and Joran Chohon each had six. Chohon hit .375 for Missouri Western, led the team with 33 assists and finished the night with nine digs. Kayla Ruff again paced the Griffons with 17 digs, while Audrey Keim added 11.

The match featured 12 ties and eight lead changes, including six lead changes in the second set alone. Missouri Western stays at home for Senior Night when No. 13 Central Missouri visits the fieldhouse on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. Seniors Jordan Chohon, Lindsey Patridge and Jessie Thorup will be honored that night. The team will also wear throwback uniforms and fans are encouraged to join in the throwback theme.

— MWSU Athletics —