TOPEKA, Kan. – The Missouri Western volleyball team had its season come to an end with a five set loss in the first round of the MIAA tournament at No. 15 Washburn.

The fifth seeded Griffons jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Washburn in a back-and-forth first set. Missouri Western trailed 20-17 in the first and rallied back to take a 24-23 lead, the first of five set points before the Griffons would eventually claim the set, 30-28. Washburn controlled the second set, winning 25-18. The third set played out much like the first with a little less drama and Missouri Western winning 28-26. Washburn would go on to dominate the fourth set, winning 25-15. In the fifth, Washburn jumped out to an early lead, going up 6-1 before claiming the set 15-10.

Washburn had 87 kills to Missouri Western’s 61 and out-hit the Griffons .303 to .193. Rachel Friedrichs led the Griffons with a career-high 16 kills and hit .429 on the night. Shellby Taylor also had a career-high with 15 kills and Blair Russell finished with 13. Lindsey Partridge finished her final match with six total blocks and six kills on a .333 attack percentage. Kayla Ruff led the team with 29 digs and Jordan Chohon added a career-high 24 digs.

Missouri Western finished the season 21-10, the first back-to-back 20-win seasons for the team since 1997-98 and had six players named to the All-MIAA team.

— MWSU Athletics —