Box Score HAYS, Kan. -- Danielle Moje posted a .368 hitting percentage with nine kills and four block assists as Missouri Western completed a fifth-set comeback to win 3-2 (25-21, 12-25, 25-22, 16-25, 15-12) over Fort Hays State on Friday night.
With the exception of the second set, Friday's match was a see-saw affair. There were a total of 31 ties and 11 lead changes over the course of the match, with 12 and five respectively coming in the first set alone. Moje gave Missouri Western the edge in the first set, with back-to-back kills and a block assist turning a 15-13 deficit into a 16-15 lead.
The Griffons closed out the first set 25-21 winners, but ran into a buzzsaw in the second set, as Fort Hays hit .565 to roll to a 25-12 win.
MWSU rebounded to take the third set and the Tigers were able to survive and force the match into a fifth set.
Fort Hays State opened up an 8-5 lead in the deciding set, forcing head coach Marian Carbin to call a timeout at what would normally be a change of sides. The inspiration worked, as back-to-back kills by Karly Tharp and Allie Kerns sparked the Griffons to a comeback, with Emilee McGowan bringing the visitors level at 11-11 with a service ace.
Hailey Crane finished off the match, with a kill to put MWSU up 13-12 and then a service ace for the match winner.
The win moves MWSU to 10-3 (2-2 MIAA) on the year, while Fort Hays falls to 8-6 (2-3 MIAA)