MARYVILLE, Mo. -- Missouri Western (11-7, 3-6 MIAA) was able to spread its offensive production on Tuesday night, but unforced errors in the first and third sets saw the Griffons fall 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-11) to no, 9 Northwest Missouri State (14-2, 7-1 MIAA). Jessica Hendrix posted a .238 hitting percentage with nine kills in the match.
The Griffons mustered just a .051 hitting percentage in the first set, with seven errors against nine kills in 39 swings. Back-to-back attack errors gifted Northwest its first two points, with a five-point series with a service error, an attack error and an uncharacteristic ball handling error put MWSU in a 9-4 hole it couldn't climb out of.
Missouri Western was able to turn the momentum to its favor to start the second set, with back-to-back kills from Hendrix followed by a Jessica Sachen service ace put the Griffons up 5-2. MWSU was able to hold off Northwest for much of the set, but the Bearcats eventually whittled the lead down and tied the set 18-18. Missouri Western staved off a three set points after a 6-2 Northwest run, but couldn't finish the comeback, and NWMSU opened up a quick lead in the third set and didn't look back.
The Griffons return to the MWSU Fieldhouse on Friday night, taking on Emporia State at 6 p.m.