THIS WEEK IN GRIFFON VOLLEYBALL:
Thursday, October 3, 6 p.m. vs Pittsburg State
Saturday, October 5, 3 p.m. vs Missouri Southern
 
ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western Volleyball team will host back-to-back home games this week for the first time this season. The Griffons (7-5, 1-3 MIAA) will play Pittsburg State (7-6, 2-2 MIAA) on Thursday and then bounce back Saturday to take on Missouri Southern (8-6, 1-3 MIAA).
 
The Griffons are looking to get their first home victory of 2019 this week. They also have a combined 38-12 home record against these two programs.
 
Thursday night's match-up against Pittsburg State will feature an 80s night theme. Fans are encouraged to dress in their best throwback attire and the match will bring in-game 80s flair to the MWSU Fieldhouse.
 
PREVIEWING THE GRIFFONS
 

• Missouri Western is currently ranked second in the MIAA in average blocks per set with a rate of 1.97.
• The Griffons are also top-five in the conference in average aces and hitting percentage per set.
• Ali Tauchen currently leads the MIAA in average blocks per set with a rate of 1.07.
• Tauchen also ranks top-five in the conference in average kills (3.37) and hitting percentage (.351) per set.
• Danielle Moje ranks third in the MIAA in average blocks per set with a rate of .96.
• Tiana Butler ranks second in the league in average digs per set with a rate of 5.62. This average ranks 30^th in all of Division II.
• Jessica Sachen ranks top-five in the conference for average aces per set, while Lauren Murphy ranks top-five for average assists per set.

 
PREVIEWING PITTSBURG STATE
 

• The Gorillas rank top-five in the MIAA in average digs per set.
• Pittsburg State's last three losses have all been to nationally ranked opponents, including MIAA foes No. 11 Northwest Missouri and No. 14 Central Missouri.
• Morgan Henning ranks second in the conference in hitting percentage per set with an average of .353.
• Erika Ivkov ranks top-10 in the league in average kills per set and aces per set.

 
PREVIEWING MISSOURI SOUTHERN
 

• The Lions currently rank third in the MIAA in digs per set average with a rate of 17.18.
• Missouri Southern also ranks fifth in the conference in average blocks per set with a rate of 1.78.
• Alicia Pickett is currently ranked fourth in the league in blocks per set average with a rate of .94.
• Emalee Lowe ranks seventh in the MIAA in average digs per set with a rate of 4.03.