GRIFFON VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW
Missouri Western at the Carr Racop Invitational
When: Thursday, September 14 -7 p.m. vs. Arkansas-Fort Smith;
Friday, September 15 – 9 a.m. vs. Henderson State & 4: 30 p.m. vs. West Florida
Saturday, September 9 – 9 a.m. vs. Newman
Where: Fort Smith, Arkansas
Watch: Arkansas-Fort Smith Broadcast (Thursday, Sept. 14 match only)
Live Stats: http://www.sidearmstats.com/uafortsmith/wvball/
Follow: @MWSUvolleyball @GoGriffons

ST. JOSEPH – Griffon volleyball travels to Arkansas-Fort Smith for their final non-conference tournament of the 2017 season. MWSU is 4-4 thus far in non-conference play.
 
Just two weeks into the season, Missouri Western leads the MIAA with 61 blocks with 20 of those being solo blocks. MWSU has recorded 343 kills and is averaging 13.19 kills per set for the season, which ranks fourth in the conference.
 
Lauren Murphy currently ranks second in the MIAA with 10.45 assists per set. Murphy's main hitter has been Stephanie Doak. Doak is averaging 3.92 kills per set on the season, third best in the conference.
 
Defensively, Kayla Ruff continues to pace Missouri Western with 4.92 digs per set, ranking her third in the league. Ali Tauchen's addition to the roster has benefitted the defense as she is top 10 in the MIAA with 0.92 blocks per set.
 
LAST WEEK: After adjusting the schedule due to Hurricane Irma, MWSU traveled to St. Charles, Missouri for the Lindenwood Last Minute Challenge and went 3-1. Stephanie Doak had a career weekend for Missouri Western as she recorded at least 16 kills in three matches and 10 or more kills in all four matches. Her weekend highlight came against West Texas A&M as she finished with a career-best 21 kills and 17 kills in a sweep over Illinois Springfield, which is second most in a three-set match.
 
Ali Tauchen finished the challenge with 43 kills and 11 blocks as Shellby Taylor added 41 kills and 11 blocks. Defensively, Rachel Losch led the Griffon blockers with 14 blocks, including three solo blocks. Kayla Ruff had 61 digs and averaged 4.69 digs per set.
 
UP NEXT: Missouri Western opens its home season on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. against Truman State. It is the final non-conference match of the season for the Griffons as well.