BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – Griffon volleyball split a pair of games in the opening day of the Ferris State Invitational. Missouri Western fell in the first game to #14 Ferris State 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-18) and swept Davenport in game two 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-21).

FORCEFUL ATTACKS
In its sweep of Davenport, MWSU hammered 50 kills as a team. Shellby Taylor finished with a match-high 13 kills as Ali Tauchen added 12 kills for the Griffons. Taylor also had a hitting percentage of .440 as Tauchen finished the match hitting .320.

STAYING ALIVE
With a 1-0 match lead, MWSU found itself in a tough spot late in the second set, down 24-23. Stephanie Doak provided a saving kill to tie the set at 24 and keep the Griffons alive. Back-to-back errors from the Panthers allowed Missouri Western to win the set 26-24 and take a 2-0 match lead. The second set would be the only scare DU would provide in the match.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Newcomers Ali Tauchen and Mikayla Sellers-Wiebe made their first appearances for Missouri Western memorable. The duo led the team with a combined 15 kills in game one against FSU. Tauchen and Sellers-Wiebe would not be a one-hit wonder as they combined for 19 kills in game two.

UP NEXT
Missouri Western wraps up the Ferris State Invitation on Saturday, Sept. 2 with a pair of matches. The Griffons open with Grand Valley State at 11 a.m. CST and close out the day with Northern Michigan at 3 p.m. CST.

— MWSU Athletics —