SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Griffon Volleyball began its 2018 season much like it ended the 2017 regular season. Missouri Western made quick work of Cedarville (3-0) and McKendree (3-0) to go 2-0 at the Illinois Springfield Capital Classic.
 
THE DAY
On the day, Missouri Western hit .411 as a team while holding its opponents to a .063 hitting percentage. The Griffons averaged 13.8 kills per set while allowing just 8.8. Sam Duncan had a breakout performance, totaling 22 kills and hitting .360. Shellby Taylor had 15 kills and hit .682 on the day with four total blocks. Audrey Keim posted 38 digs, starting both matches at Libero.
 
VS CEDARVILLE
The Griffons opened the day by taking care of Cedarville, 25-17, 25-12 and 25-11 to take the first match of the season. Sam Duncan led MWSU with a career-high 14 kills and Audrey Keim posted a career-high 19 digs in the sweep of Cedarville. The Griffons hit .500 in each of the first two sets and .391 in the third to hit .467 in the match. They held Cedarville to a .030 hitting percentage.
 
VS MCKENDREE
An 18-5 rally in the first set against McKendree set the tone for a 25-14, 25-15, 25-20 win in the afternoon match for MWSU. The Griffons hit .372 against McKendree and limited the Bearcats to a .097 hitting percentage, including -.125 in the first set. Murphy posted 34 assists in game two. Stephanie Doak led the Griffons with 11 kills while Keim matched her game one personal-best with 19 digs.
 
UP NEXT
The Griffons play two more matches in Springfield on Saturday, taking on host Illinois Springfield at 1 p.m. before wrapping the opening weekend against Walsh at 5:30 p.m.