THIS WEEK IN GRIFFON VOLLEYBALL
Tuesday, October 16, 7:00 p.m. vs. (RV) Northwest Missouri (17-5, 9-2 MIAA)
Friday, October 19, 6:00 p.m. at #16 Central Missouri (17-6, 7-4 MIAA)
Saturday, October 20, 6:00 p.m. at Lindenwood (12-9, 4-7 MIAA)
 
ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western Volleyball (12-12, 4-7 MIAA) will begin this week's games hosting Northwest Missouri on Tuesday before playing two more road weekend games. The Griffons will face tough competition this week, as Northwest Missouri and Central Missouri are both ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association top-25.

 
5 THINGS TO WATCH

• Shellby Taylor is just 11 kills away from reaching the 1,000 career kills milestone. She could join teammate Stephanie Doak in the 1,000 kills club with some solid performances this week. Doak reached the milestone with her 17-kill outing against William Jewell last week.
• Doak will look to continue her impressive play. She is averaging 4.91 kills per set in her last three games.
• The Griffons have fared much better at home or neutral site action this season. They are 9-6 in those games this season while going 3-6 in away games.
• Missouri Western has faced the Jennies twice this season. The Jennies have won both games, but each went five sets.
• The Griffons will be aiming for their fifth straight win against Lindenwood on Sunday. The Lions have not topped Missouri Western since October 8, 2016.

 
SCOUTING THE GRIFFONS

• Missouri Western has the third-most blocks per set in the MIAA at 2.07.
• Doak's recent hot-streak has elevated her to second in the MIAA at 3.78 kills per set.
• Rachel Losch has more blocks than anyone in the conference (93) and is leading the team with a .344 hitting percentage.
• The Griffons hold their opponents to a .173 hitting percentage
• Missouri Western plays its best volleyball in the early sets. The Griffons are 16-8 in first sets and 18-6 in second sets.

 
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS

• Northwest Missouri is the most efficient hitting team in the MIAA at .254.
• Maddy Bruder leads the MIAA with 4.20 kills per set.
• Maddy Ahrens leads the MIAA with 11.35 assists per set.
• The Bearcats are 3-7 in matches that go further than three sets.
• Northwest Missouri has played well in road conference games this year, going 4-0 in those contests.

 
SCOUTING THE JENNIES

• Audrey Fisher is the only player in the MIAA to be in the top-five in both hitting percentage (.350) and kills per set (3.57).
• The Jennies are hitting .229 as a team.
• Central Missouri is holding opponents to .173 hitting percentage.
• Five of Central Missouri's six losses have come to teams ranked in the top-25.
• Ally Offerdahl averages 10.8 assists per set.

 
SCOUTING THE LIONS

• Sadie Kosciuk and Kathryn Finnerty are first and third in the MIAA in blocks per set.
• Alexa Pressley leads Lindenwood with 214 kills this season.
• The Lions are 5-3 at home this season.
• Lindenwood has lost three of its last four home games.
• The Lions are averaging 1.55 service aces per set.