Missouri Western volleyball found itself on the winning side of a back-and-forth battle between rival Northwest Tuesday night at the Fieldhouse.

The Griffons used a 10-4 run in the fifth and decisive set to rally for the victory.

“We are two similar teams,” said head coach Cory Frederick.  “So it was key to come out here on the home court and get the victory.  I was very pleased with our effort tonight.”

It was a sea-saw battle from the get go, with each team answering the bell each set.

The Griffons won the first set 25-19, while the Bearcats took set two 25-18.

Western then answered with a a 25-19 win in set three, but Northwest answered in the fourth set with a decisive 25-14 victory.

Northwest carried that momentum into the fifth set, taking an 8-5 lead until a big kill by Griffon senior Alex Behnke turned the tide in the Griffons favor, sparking the 10-4 run.

A huge block by Tahler Johnston and Meredith McCormick gave the Griffons a 13-10 lead, which shifted the momentum for good, in route to a 15-12 victory and the 3-2 win.

Johnston and freshman Shelby Corkill led the Griffs with 14 kills apiece in the match.  Corkill hit a team high .414 on the night.

Behnke added 11 kills, while McCormick added 10 to the balanced attack.

The victory pushes Western to 8-7 overall and 1-2 in MIAA play.
Northwest falls to 7-9 and 1-2 in the conference.

Next up for the Griffons, a trip to Warrensburg to take on nationally ranked Central Missouri Friday night, October 7th at 7:00 p.m.

— MWSU Sports Information —