ST. JOSEPH – For the first time since 2003, Griffon volleyball (18-9) swept #16 Central Missouri (20-7). Missouri Western extended its current winning streak to seven matches and clinched a home match in the MIAA tournament.

CHIPPED AWAY
Early in the first set, the Jennies looked poised to run away with the match holding a 10-5 lead. A UCM attack error midway through the set allowed the Griffons to tie the match at 16-16. Trailing 22-20, Lauren Murphy found a gap in the Jennies defense that allowed Missouri Western to win theset on a 5-0 run.

STUFFED
Missouri Western threw a block party at the net against #16 Central Missouri. The Griffons finished with 11 total blocks and outblocked the Jennies by seven total blocks. Ali Tauchen finished with 10 total blocks, second most for program history in a three-set match. Lauren Murphy and Shellby Taylor each had three block assists in the match as well.

DECISIVE DEFENSE
MWSU’s defense showed up clutch in the match. Missouri Western held Central Missouri to hit .103 in the match, its second lowest output of the season. UCM hit .098 in the first set and -.024 for the second set. The Griffons forced the Jennies to commit 34 errors, 22 attack errors and 12 service errors.

UP NEXT
The Griffons begin their final road trip of the season on Nov. 3 as they head to Joplin, Missouri for a 7 p.m. match against Missouri Southern.

— MWSU Athletics —