EMPORIA, Kan. – The Missouri Western volleyball team fell 3-2 (25-22, 25-12, 27-29, 23-25, 9-15) at Emporia State Sunday afternoon.

The Griffons overcame a slow first set start by using a 12-3 run to win the set.  The second set was all Missouri Western as they raced out to a 12-3 start and close out on a 9-1 run to put Emporia State on the ropes.

After leading most of the third set, MWSU had three set points fought off by the Hornets to force a fourth set.   Ashley Mainord’s kill in the fourth set would tie it at 23 but ESU would find a way to escape, forcing a decisive fifth set.  Missouri Western would go on a 4-1 rally in the fifth set; however it was not enough to win the match.

Shellby Taylor tied her career high of 15 kills in a match for the Griffons.  Rachel Friedrichs finished with 14 kills on a .538 hitting percentage while Ashley Mainord ended with 13 kills.  Lauren Murphy paced the MWSU offense with 50 assist.

The Griffons return home on Friday, Nov. 4 as they host Fort Hays State at 7 p.m. in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Athletics —