The Missouri Western volleyball team fell in straight sets (25-19, 25-23, 25-12) against the 8th ranked Jennies of Central Missouri on Friday evening in the fieldhouse. Stephanie Hattey led the way with seven kills, 12 set assists and 15 digs. The Griffons fall to 7-5 overall and 1-3 in MIAA play.

Set one did not start well for MWSU getting down 11-2. The Griffons cut the Jennies lead to 14-10 after one of Meredith McCormick’s four kills in the set. The Jennies regained control finishing the set winning by six 25-19. The Jennies were led by Bradye Peniston with five kills while Julia Bates had 10 assists.

In set two the Griffons got down 14-8 but were able to rally cutting the UCM lead to 18-16 after a Hattey kill. Unfortunatly the Griffons could not get any closer as the Jennies won 25-23. Hattey had six kills in the set while Faubel had 11 of her 20 digs in set.

In set three the Griffons never got anything going falling 25-12. In the match the Griffons had 23 kills with McCormick finising with six. Jordan Chohon had eight set assists while as a team the Griffons had three blocks.

The Jennies finished with 48 kills hitting .222. Peniston led the way with 13 kills while Bates finished with 35 of the UCM’s 44 set assists. Annie Reilly had 24 of the Jennies 57 digs. UCM improves to 9-3 overall 3-0 in MIAA play.

The Griffons return to action on Saturday, September 22 when they take on MIAA newcomer Lindenwood. Game time is set for 1:00 pm in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western football stayed at No. 5 this week in the D2Football.com media poll which was released on Tuesday morning.

The Griffons are 3-0 for the fourth time under Jerry Partridge after defeating MIAA newcomer Nebraska-Kearney 38-14 last week in Spratt Stadium.

This week the Griffons hit the road for the first time in 2012 traveling to Hays, Kan. to take on the Fort Hays State University Tigers.

Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. from Lewis Field Stadium. Last season the Griffons defeated the Tigers 55-17 in Hays on the last game of the regular season.

The game can be heard on the Griffon Sports Network (KFEQ 680 AM & KMRN 1360 AM) with pregame beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Click here to view the D2Football.com Top 25 poll.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western Griffons moved up one spot from No. 8 to No. 7 in the latest AFCA top 25 Division II coaches poll which was released on Monday.

Missouri Western will hit the road for the first time this season on Saturday, September 22 when they travel to Hays, Kan. to take on the Fort Hays State Tigers. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm in Lewis Field Stadium. Last season the Griffons defeated the Tigers last season 55-17 in Hays on November 12th, 2011 in Hays, Kan.

The Griffons jumped six spots after shutting down MIAA newcomer Nebraska-Kearney 38-14 last Saturday in St. Joseph. MWSU is 3-0 and have been ranked in the top 25 in the last 11 polls and have received votes in 29 of the last 33 coaches polls.

Under Partridge, this is the fourth time the Griffons have been ranked in the top-10 and fourth time that MWSU has started 3-0.

Click here to view the AFCA Top 25 poll.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The 8th ranked Missouri Western football team used 28 unanswered points opening up a 35-7 lead late in the third which helped them to a 38-14 victory against MIAA newcomer Nebraska-Kearney. Quarterback Travis Partridge threw a career high four touchdowns and rushed for another helping MWSU to its fourth 3-0 start under Head Coach Jerry Partridge. The Griffons improve to 2-0 in MIAA play.

The Griffons got on the board first midway through the first quarter when Partridge hooked up with running back Michael Hill from 19 yards out capping a nine play 93 yard drive which was set up by a Mike Jordan’s first interception of his career. The Lopers responded early in the second quarter when running back Tommy Flanagan scampered 58 yards tying the score with 10:10 to play in the half.

The rest of the half would be back and fourth but the Griffons used an 87 yard drive which was capped by a 30 yard pitch and catch from Partridge to Derek Libby giving MWSU the 14-7 halftime lead.

At the half Missouri Western had 251 yards with Hill going 95 on 17 carries. In the air Partridge completed 10 passes for 143 and two touchdowns. David Bass led the charge defensively with six tackles, one sack and 1.5 tackles for a loss.

The Lopers had 177 total yards with 110 coming in the first quarter. Flanagan had 91 yards on 14 carries and caught three passes for 17 yards. Sam Kuck and Ryan Lendrum led the defense with six total tackles apiece.

In the third quarter the Griffons kept up the offensive pressure scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions. Tyron Crockom made a nice run after catch for a 20 yards touchdown reception giving MWSU the 21-7 lead with 10:34 to play in the third. Partridge then hooked up with tight end Reggie Jordan for his fourth touchdown pass of the game from 11 yards out giving the Griffons the 28-7 lead with 7:12 to play in the third.

The final touchdown came on a 42 yard rush from Partridge putting the Griffons up 35-7 late in the third. The Lopers put one more touchdown on board before the game was over while MWSU kicker Taylor Anderson connected from 27 yards out giving the Griffons the 24 point victory.

MWSU finished the night with 549 yards of total offense with 351 coming on the ground. Hill finished with 160 yards on 24 carries and now needs just 57 to become MWSU’s all-time leading rusher. He also needs just 10 carries to become the Griffons all-time leader in carries.

Partridge completed 15-of-26 passes for 198 yards and four touchdowns. Tyron Crockom had 46 yards on four catches while Kyle Knox had 70 yards on three catches.

The Lopers had 320 yards of total offense with 193 coming on the ground. Flanagan had 106 on 16 carries with one touchdown while Daniel Rankin had 52 yards on five carries. Kuck led the way defensively with 11 tackles for UNK. The Lopers fall to 0-3 overall and 0-3 in MIAA play.

The Griffons had four players with seven tackles (David Bass, Jordan Nicholas, Ben Pister and Austin Baska). Bass had three unassisted tackles and four assisted.

MWSU returns to action on Saturday, September 22 making its first road trip of the season. The Griffons will take on the Fort Hays State Tigers with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western Volleyball played a close contest against MIAA foe Emporia State, but lost 3-0 to fall to 7-4 and 1-2 in the MIAA.

The Griffons led throughout the first set, taking a 24-22 advantage. The Hornets came back off of two attacks by Sydney Hartman and took a 25-24 lead. The Griffons fought back and had two attacks themselves to take the one-point lead, but couldn’t hang on as Emporia won the next three points and won the set 28-26.

MWSU and ESU swapped points through the 2nd set. The game was tied at 10 before the Griffons took an 18-13 lead. The Griffons let the set slip out of their hands though, as the Hornets won 25-23.

The Hornets jumped out to an 11-5 lead in the 3rd set, but the Griffons fought back to take a 14-13 lead. Emporia wouldn’t give the set up however, and took the final set 25-20 to sweep the Griffons 3-0.

Melissa Cairns led with 10 kills. Sarah Faubel finished with 13 digs and Stephanie Hattey ended the game with a team-high 20 assists. The Griffons had 39 team kills.

The Hornets were led by Katie Deutschmann, who had 27 assists. Mogan Buckner had 14 kills and Paige Vanderpool finished with 20 digs.

Up Next: The Griffons take on Central Missouri Friday night at 7 p.m. and Lindenwood Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.

— MWSU Sports Information —