JOPLIN, Mo. -- Taking on a Missouri Southern team that they had recently swept 3-0 in a match postponed due to COVID-19 protocols within the Lions squad, the Griffons stumbled out of the gates but collected their momentum and powered to a 3-2 (14-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-13, 16-14) win on Friday. Karly Tharp was one of three Missouri Western players with double-digit kill totals on the night, adding 10 digs to her 13 kills for a double-double.
Adjusting to changes in its lineup, Missouri Western struggled through the first set, finishing with a negative hitting percentage (-.027; 8 kills, 9 errors) and a nine-point margin.
Tharp was flawless in the second set with five kills on seven swings, and her .714 hitting percentage buoyed MWSU to a .314 mark in the set. Jessica Sachen grabbed 12 digs on defense to help the Griffons tie the match at 1-1.
Missouri Western's hitting troubles returned briefly in the second set, but the Griffons were able to battle through it and nearly grab a set win. They carried the momentum into the fourth set, roaring to a 25-13 win behind 17 kills.
The back-and-forth nature of the match was distilled into a fifth set that saw nine ties and five lead changes. Missouri Southern led by three early, but the Griffons were able to answer with a 6-3 run for a 12-10 lead. Back-to-back kills by Ali Tauchen gave Missouri Western its first match point opportunity, but the Lions were able to stave off the loss at 14-13. MWSU was determined, however, and a sideout kill by Tharp brought Emilee McGowan to the service line and Allie Kerns finished off the match.
Jessica Hendrix equaled Tharp's 13 kills in the match, with Tauchen adding 12 and Kerns notching 11. Sachen powered the Griffon defense with 29 digs in the match.
MWSU continues its road swing at Pittsburg State on Saturday, with first serve set for 2 p.m.