PITTSBURG, Kan. – Griffon Volleyball (14-10, 8-8) clinched a spot in the MIAA Championships with a dramatic 3-1 win at Pittsburg State (12-13, 7-9), Saturday night.
 
Down 24-21 in the fourth, the Griffons ended the set on a 7-3 run to win the set, the match and clinch a postseason berth. MWSU scored four straight to stay alive and take a 25-24 lead in the fourth. The Griffs scored the first two off blocks Danielle Moje and Ali Tauchen. Tauchen then had four straight kills and a Sam Duncan kill ended it.
 
The Griffons held on to take a 1-0 lead (25-23) in the first then controlled the second 25-20. MWSU was in position for the sweep, leading 17-11 in the third before the Gorillas went on a 9-3 run to take a 20-19 lead then forcing the fourth, 25-22.
 
Not only did the Griffons clinch their spot in the MIAA Championships, but they claimed sole possession of sixth place in the MIAA standings and moved a half game behind Central Oklahoma for fifth.
 
NOTABLES

• MWSU recorded its third most blocks of the season with 12, including nine solo blocks
• Ali Tauchen followed up her 23-kill performance at Missouri Southern with a 21-kill night Saturday. She hit .439 and added 13 digs and two solo blocks.
• The Griffons followed up a six ace night with five at Pittsburg State.
• Lauren Murphy led the Griffons with 48 assists and Tiana Butler had a team-high 27 digs.

 
UP NEXT

• Missouri Western plays its fourth straight road game with a non-conference match at William Jewell (10-16, 4-7), Nov. 5.
• The Griffons will wrap up the regular season with four-straight home matches beginning Nov. 7 against Fort Hays State.