ST. JOSEPH – Griffon Volleyball (15-11, 9-8) battled through a five-set match with Fort Hays State (6-20, 3-15) for the team's 15^th win of the season, Thursday night in the MWSU Fieldhouse.
 
As the only MIAA match on the schedule, Thursday, Missouri Western moved into a tie for fifth place in the MIAA standings with Central Oklahoma. The Bronchos were scheduled to host nationally ranked Central Missouri (Friday) and Northwest Missouri (Saturday) this weekend before wrapping the regular season Nov. 16 at Missouri Western.
 
A strong showing by Fort Hays State in the first gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead before the Griffons stormed back with a 25-8 win in the second. Missouri Western started the second set on a 20-2 run, taking 13-straight points to jump out to a 19-1 lead. After a 5-0 Fort Hays run, the Griffons ended the set on a 5-1 run.
 
Missouri Western took a 2-1 lead by winning the third 25-20, but the Tigers evened things up in the fourth, 25-21. A 5-1 run in the fifth put MWSU up 10-5 and gave the Griffons the cushion they needed to complete their third five-set win this season.
 
NOTABLES

• There was not a single lead change or tie in the second or third sets, with the Griffons leading the entire way. MWSU had the lead just once in the fourth, thought the Griffons tied the match set seven times.
• The Griffons posted their second 12-block performance in the last three matches.
• Jenna Boland got the start at setter, appearing for the first time as a Griffon. She led MWSU with 39 assists and had 13 digs and one kills with a block assist.
• After sitting out the first, Maryssa Recio came in and had eight kills, five in the second set.
• Ali Tauchen posted another double-double, leading the team with 15 kills and adding 16 digs.
• Sam Duncan had 10 kills and seven blocks.

 
UP NEXT

• Three more at home over the next nine days to close out the regular season.
• MWSU hosts No. 2 Nebraska Kearney Saturday at 6 p.m. before hosting Newman and Central Oklahoma next week.