MIAA CHAMPIONSHIPS – FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, Nov. 6, 6:00 p.m. at #3 Nebraska Kearney (30-2, 16-2 MIAA)
 
ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western (15-16, 7-11 MIAA) accomplished what it set out to do entering last weekend, earning the eight-seed and a spot in the MIAA Championships. The Griffons will face off against top-seeded Nebraska-Kearney in the first round of the MIAA Championships on Tuesday. Nebraska-Kearney enters the MIAA Championships as the MIAA regular season champions.


WHAT TO WATCH

• Tuesday's first round matchup will be a rematch of the MIAA championship match from a year ago. Nebraska-Kearney won the tournament with a 3-1 win over Missouri Western.
• This will be the third game between the two teams this season with the Lopers winning both regular season games in sweeps.
• Liv Winker returned to action for the Griffons in the team's win on Sunday with 28 assists and 11 digs. Winker and Lauren Murphy both saw playing time at setter over the weekend.
• The Lopers have been tested towards the end of the regular season. Two of Nebraska-Kearney's last three opponents have taken the Lopers to five sets.

 
SCOUTING THE GRIFFONS

• Rachel Losch is having one of the most efficient-hitting seasons in Missouri Western history. Losch's current season attack percentage of .349 would give her the third-best single season hit percentage in program history.
• Stephanie Doak averages in second in the MIAA kills per set at 3.69.
• Audrey Keim is also having a potential record-breaking year. Keim is averaging 5.27 digs per set, the second-highest single season average in team history.
• The Griffons are fourth in the MIAA with two blocks per set.
• Missouri Western's opponents are hitting just .171 against the Griffons this season.

 
SCOUTING THE LOPERS

• The Lopers are outhitting their opponents .238 to .101.
• The Lopers have a very balanced attack offensively with four players averaging over two kills per set.
• Lindsey Smith is the team's primary setter and averages 10.77 assists per set.
• Ellie McDonnell leads the MIAA with 5.75 digs per set.
• Nebraska-Kearney will be looking for its third-straight MIAA tournament championship.