OWENSBORO, Ky. -- Behind a .356 hitting percentage and 21 kills from Allie Kerns, the Missouri Western State University women's volleyball team swept through the opening day of play at Kentucky Wesleyan. The Griffons dispatched Henderson State 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-18) and handed West Virginia State its first loss of the season 3-1 (25-23, 25-21, 19-25, 25-23) on Saturday afternoon.
In the tournament opener, Missouri Western used a strong serving attack to overpower the Henderson State block, rolling to a 3-0 win. A trio of Griffons (Emilee McGowan, Jenna Boland and Karly Tharp) recorded three service aces in the match, with MWSU allowing just five aces for the Reddies. Kerns led the Griffons attack with 10 kills and a .400 hitting percentage.
The afternoon match was a more closely contested affair, with the first set seeing five lead changes and nine ties, just one short of the match total (5 changes, 10 ties) against Henderson State. Ali Tauchen racked up 15 kills and a .324 hitting percentage to lead MWSU, with Kerns adding 11 kills. Jenna Boland collected a stout 49 assists against the Yellow Jackets as well.
Missouri Western moves to 5-1 on the year, hitting the mark for the third straight championship season under coach Marian Carbin. The Griffons close out the tournament with matches against Maryville (9 a.m.) and Montevallo (1 p.m.) on Saturday.