ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western Volleyball (6-2) will have its first home match of 2019 after traveling to Maryville to take on No. 15 Northwest Missouri on Wednesday. The Griffons play their home opener Friday against No. 12-ranked Central Missouri, MWSU's third straight ranked opponent.
 
Friday's match against Central Missouri is the only home action for the Griffons this month.
 
SCOUTING THE GRIFFONS
 

• The Griffons rank second in the MIAA, averaging 1.7 aces per set.
• MWSU's defense has made scoring hard for the opposition. The Griffs rank fourth in the MIAA in opponent hitting percentage (.148) and just one of the team's eight opponents has hit over .200 for a match.
• Opponents are averaging 11.04 kills per set on the Griffs, third fewest in the MIAA
• Ali Tauchen ranks third in the MIAA, averaging 3.92 kills per set and her .374 hitting percentage is fourth-best in the conference.
• Jessica Sachen leads the MIAA with 0.63 aces per set and Tauchen is second with 0.52.
• Tiana Butler is second in the conference, averaging 6.17 per set.
• Lauren Murphy leads the team in assists with 273 and averages 10.92 per set, which ranks second in the MIAA.

 
SCOUTING NORTHWEST
 

• Northwest Missouri is the most efficient hitting team in the MIAA with a percentage of .262.
• Bethany Elkins appears in the top-five of three conference statistical categories (blocks: 1^st-1.13, hitting %: 2^nd-.395, kills: 2^nd-3.96).
• Hallie Sidney leads the league in total kills with 129.
• Maddy Ahrens is second in total assists within the MIAA with 332.

 
SCOUTING CENTRAL MISSOURI
 

• Ally Offerdahl leads the MIAA in assists with 339.
• Hannah Engelken is second in the league in total blocks with 32.
• Central Missouri dished out a conference-high 11 aces (5 sets) against Barry University at the Colorado Premiere Challenge last Friday afternoon.
• All three of the Jennies' losses came to teams ranked in the national top-25, including No. 1-ranked Tampa.