With their backs against the wall the Missouri Western volleyball team got back on track opening up MIAA play with a 3-1 (32-30, 26-24, 21-25, 25-19) road victory against rival Northwest Missouri State. Jessie Thorup, Erica Rottinghaus and Kelsey Olion all had 12 kills helping MWSU improve to 3-6 overall and 1-0 in MIAA play.

The first two sets were back and forth battles that either team could win. In set one the Griffons got back-to-back kills from Erin Backhuus and Kelsey Olion coming away with a 32-30 victory.

In set two the Griffons built its lead to 16-12 after a Rottinghaus service ace. The Bearcats battled back tying the score at 23 but MWSU scored three of the final four points coming away with a 26-24 victory. Lindsay Partridge and Thorup got the late kills in the second set to get the victory.

The Bearcats used two runs 10-7 run claiming a 17-13 lead and used a late 7-4 run coming away with a 25-21 set three victory.

The young Griffons responded nicely using 12-6 run pushing its lead to 18-12 after a Rottinghaus service ace. The Griffons continued good play as Amanda Boender sealed the match with the four set winner giving the Griffons the 25-19 victory.

The Griffons hit .274 in the set with 60 kills. Kelly Scannell had 25 set assits while Jordan Chohon had 16. Sarah Faubel had 20 digs while Rottinghaus had 11. Boender and Partridge finished with nine and seven kills respectively.

The Bearcats fall to 4-5 overall and 0-1 with the loss. Northwest had 61 kills with Brooke Bartosh finishing with 16. Bridget Hanafin had 48 set assists while Bailey Vance had 14 digs.

Missouri Western returns to action on Saturday, September 21 when they travel to Emporia, Kan. to take on the Emporia State Hornets. First serve is set for 3:00 pm from White Auditorium.

— MWSU Sports Information —