The Missouri Western men’s golf team finished in 11th place at the first MIAA sanctioned golf event of the season which was held at Crestwood Country Club in Pittsburg, Kan. The Griffons finished firing a 623 (309-314) which was four strokes out of 10th, five strokes out of ninth and seven strokes back of eighth. The winner of the event was Washburn University firing a 591 (295-296) which was six strokes better than Central Oklahoma’s 597 (299-298).

Sophomore, James O’Brien led the way for MWSU finishing 7-over with a 151 (74-77) which put him in a tied for 15th in the 71 player field. Junior College transfer Weston Apple finished in a tie for 38th with a 156 (76-80) while Scott Sheldonn fired 157 (78-79). Tyler Gast and Kenny Stone fired 159 and 165 respectively while Derek Hawkins played as an individual finishing with a 163 (81-82).

Sam Schulte of Washburn won the event on a playoff hole over Dillion Rust of Central Oklahoma. They both fired 144 which was one stroke better than Landon Morgan of UCO.

The Griffons will return to action on September 24-25 when they travel to Muskogee, Okla. to participate in the Northeastern State University Classic. The event will be played at Emerald Falls Golf Club.

The Missouri Western women’s golf team finished 11th out of 19 teams at the Drury University Fall Shootout which was held at Silo Ridge Country Club in Bolivar, Mo. The Griffons fired a two round total of 677 (342-335) which was two strokes better than the University of Sioux Falls. Southwestern Oklahoma State won the event by ten strokes firing a two round total of 602 (302-310).

Senior, Natalie Bird continues to play well finising in a tie for 12th in the 106 player field firing 157 (77-80). Shelby Stone was the next highest finisher with a 169 (86-83) while Callie Wilson, Darcy Smith and Casi Webb finished with 172, 179 and 187 respectively. Amber Chivinton played as an individual and fired 184 (93-91).

The winner of the event was Ana Gomez of Southwestern Oklahoma State firing a two round total of 150 (72-78) which was two strokes better than Margaret Alumno of Drury University, Emily Kvidera of Augustana College, Whitney McAteer of Northeastern State and Margaret Musser of Southwestern Oklahoma State.

The Griffons return to action on Sunday, September 16 and Monday, September 17 traveling north to participate in the Concordia-St. Paul Wildwood Lodge Invitational. The event is being play at Tartan Park Golf Club in Lake Elmo, Minn.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western Volleyball lost to Upper Iowa, its first of two matches on Saturday.

The Griffons fell to the Peacocks in three sets (26-24, 25-16, 25-23) and sit at 5-2 so far this season.

MWSU didn’t trail in the first set until Upper Iowa went on a rally to score the final four points and take the first set 26-24. The Griffons led by four points three different times but could never close as Upper Iowa came back each time.

Upper Iowa stayed strong in the second set, defeating MWSU 25-16 to take the 2-0 advantage. The third game remained close throughout, as the game went to a 23-23 tie. Melanie Behnke scored the final two points to take the set and seal the victory 3-0 for the Peacocks.

The Griffons were led by Jessie Throup, who finished the match with 11 kills. Holly Pollock tallied 11 digs to lead the Griffons, and Stephanie Hattey finished with 23 assists.

Missouri Western 3, Missouri-St. Louis 1

The Griffons had better luck in their second match of the evening, defeating Missouri-St. Louis 3-1 (25-21, 25-21, 22-25, 25-18).

MWSU took both of the first two games 25-21. The Griffons used Amanda Boender to secure the first set as Kelly Scannell, who finished the match with a game-high 31 assists, set Boender up for the kill.

MWSU and UMSL battled closely in the next set it was tied at 14. The Griffons steadily pulled away, and scored the final two points to take a 2-0 lead.

The Tritons trailed early in the third set but used a nice four-point rally in the middle to go ahead 17-13. They eventually won 25-22 to put the game into a fourth set.

Missouri Western ended the match with another set victory. It was close as the Griffons had a slim 15-13 lead before they pulled away, winning 10 out of the next 15 points to win the final game of the Middle of Everywhere Classic. Sarah Faubel helped the Griffons pull away, scoring four straight points to give the Griffons a 24-17 lead before a service error and then an attack error ended the game.

Up Next: The Griffons play their first home match of the season, taking on Northwest Missouri State at 7 p.m. Tuesday night.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season falling 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-19) against the 3rd ranked Mustangs of Southwest Minnesota State University. Sophomore middle hitter Amanda Boender led the charge with 10 kills as the Griffons fall to 5-1 on the season.

MWSU struggled hitting the ball against the Mustangs accumulating just 35 kills and hitting just .138. The Mustangs hit .383 with 45 kills and just nine errors. In set one the Griffons tied the score at three after a Meredith McCormick kill but from then on it was all SW Minnesota State as they cruised to the 25-17 set one victory.

Set two did not get any better for the Griffons as they hit -.081 with six kills and nine errors falling 25-13. In the third and final set Missouri Western kept it close but a late 4-1 run Mustang run sealed the victory for SWMSU. The Mustangs improve to 5-0 with the victory.

Stephanie Hattey and Jordan Chohon had 13 and 12 set assists respectively while Chohon led the charge making 11 of the Griffons 35 digs.

The Mustangs were led by Mary Groth and Devin Diedrich as they had 11 kills apiece while Emilee Gutzmer had 36 set assists. Defensively, Gutzmer and Rachel Westby had 13 digs apiece.

The Griffons will wrap up the Middle of Everywhere Classic on Saturday, September 8 with matches against Upper Iowa University and the University of Missouri St-Louis. Match times are set for 11:00 am and 5:00 pm respectively.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western volleyball team continues to roll opening up the Middle of Everywhere Classic (Hosted by Missouri S&T) with a 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-22) victory over the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Bulldogs. The Griffons improve to 5-0 as they hit .226 as a team with 43 kills.

MWSU came out on fire in the opening set hitting .333 with 18 kills and just two errors. After losing the first point of the set the Griffons took control opening up a 10-4 lead after an Erin Backhuus kill. The Griffons continued to put on the pressure building a ten point lead at 18-8. The Griffons finished off the match winning 25-15 after a Bulldog service error.

In set two the Griffons used two 6-2 runs taking a 16-10 lead midway through the second set. Both teams scored nine points the rest of the set with the Griffons winnin 25-19.

In the third match this did not look good for the Griffons as a 6-1 run by the Bulldogs gave SWOSU a 12-7 lead. Missouri Western picked up its game going on a 10-5 run tying the score at 17 after a kill by Meredith McCormick. The Bulldogs scored the next three points going up 20-17 but Missouri Western used a 5-0 run claiming a 22-20 lead. The Griffons rode the serving of freshman Holly Pollock in the run. The Griffons would hold on for the 25-22 victory in the set. The Griffons improve to 2-0 all-time against the Bulldogs.

Backhuus led MWSU with nine kills while Amanda Boender had eight. McCormick and Sarah Faubel finished with seven apiece. Stephanie Hattey had 24 set assists while Faubel had 17 digs. Pollock had 16 digs with one service ace.

The Bulldogs fall to 2-4 as Lindsay Dusin had six kills, 15 set assists and 11 digs.

— MWSU Sports Information —