ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Griffon Volleyball prepares for its second MIAA homestand of the season, hosting Newman on Friday at 6 p.m. and Central Oklahoma on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The Griffons (4-10, 1-5 MIAA) are coming off a split weekend last time at the Fieldhouse, losing 3-1 to No. 7 Nebraska-Kearney on Sept. 23 and defeating Fort Hays State 3-2 on Sept. 24. Missouri Western erased an 0-2 hole at Missouri Southern this past Tuesday but ultimately fell in five sets.

Danielle Moje is one of MWSU's main sources of attacks here at the midway point of the season, leading the team with 322 attacks. Moje's 134 kills that her at 15th in the MIAA, and she is 17th within the conference in points scored with 157.5. 

Lily Kurz still leads the team with 52 blocks, while Lia Graham's 209 digs are good for 10th most in the MIAA. Missouri Western is currently 10th in the conference standings.

9/30 - SCOUTING NEWMAN
While Newman is 7-9 and 204 in the MIAA, the Jets' main weapons are Riley Daugherty and Salome Romp, who are second and fifth respectively in the MIAA with 2-4 and 165 kills. Ozioma Ajekwu has the third-most blocks in the league with 73, while Natalie Morales is fifth with 306 digs. Daughtery and Ajekwu are second and third with 236.5 and 210.5 points scored. 

The seventh-place Jets have an impressive arsenal this season, but their past record vs. MWSU tells another story. Missouri Western is 9-1 vs. Newman all-time, with the only Jet win in the series taking place last year on Oct. 9 in a 3-2 final. Before that, the Griffons had beaten the Jets in eight-straight matches. Since 2007, MWSU is 3-0 vs. Newman at the Looney Complex.

10/1 - SCOUTING CENTRAL OKLAHOMA 
Central Oklahoma (15-2, 5-2 MIAA) sits at fourth place in the conference despite being just the second team in the MIAA with 15 wins or more (UNK; 16-1). The Bronchos started the season 13-0 before falling to No. 6 Nebraska-Kearney. Their solid start to 2022 is in part thanks to Sydney Huck's 270 kills and 305.5 points, Lindsey Houran's 753 assists and Jaedynn Evans' 430 digs -- all MIAA-highs.

The Bronchos have gotten the better of the Griffons in the previous 10 matchups, going 7-3 in that span and leading 13-6 overall. Missouri Western is 2-6 when playing UCO at the Fieldhouse, as the Griffons last win in this rivalry came in 2019 on Nov. 16 in a 3-0 finish. This will be the 20th matchup in the series dating back to 1997.

ON THIS DAY IN GRIFFON VOLLEYBALL HISTORY - 9/30
The Griffons went 2-2 in a four-match day back in 1988, defeating Washburn and Wayne State, 2-0. They lost to Fort Hays, 2-0, and Kearney State, 2-1. Missouri Western's last match and win on Sept. 30 resulted in a 3-0 sweep over Southwest Baptist in 2016.