ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Looking to get back into the win column, Griffon Volleyball will take on the winless Newman Jets for a second time this season this Saturday at 3 p.m. in Wichita, Kansas.

NOTABLES

• Leading MWSU with 216 kills, freshman outside hitter Holly Heldt is ninth in the league. Freshman right-side hitter Taylor Russell is 11th (197), senior middle hitter Danielle Moje is 18th (172) and sophomore middle hitter Emma Salker is 19th (155). Missouri Western has the most representation in the MIAA's top-20 kills list.
• Junior setter Nessa Johnson is third in the MIAA with 731 assists. Her 10.30 assists per set rank third in the conference.
• Missouri Western is holding opponents to a .142 hitting percentage, the second-best mark in the MIAA.
• Opponents have only recorded 742 assists vs. MWSU, the second least in the conference.
• The Griffons have given up the second-least number kills in the MIAA with 817 against them.
• With 15 blocks given up, the Griffons are the least-blocked team in the MIAA.
• Missouri Western has 1,322 digs, the fourth most in the league.
• Freshman libero Anna Weberg is second in the MIAA with 367 digs and is second with 5.17 per set. Heldt is 11th with 241 digs and 13th with 3.39 per set. Johnson is 14th at 226 digs and 16th at 3.18 per set.
• Junior middle hitter Lily Kurz is second in the MIAA With 76 blocks and is tied for second with 11 solo blocks.
• Missouri Western is seventh in Division II with 18.62 digs per set.
• The Griffons are third in the country with 39.54 team attacks per set.

10/21 - NEWMAN | 3 PM
The Jets (0-20, 0-12 MIAA) sit in last place in the MIAA. The Jets are 0-4 at home this season and will play MWSU in their third home match of a four-game stay in Wichita at Fugate Gymnasium. Newman last lost to Northwest Missouri State in four sets on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

Who to Watch
Senior defensive specialist Natalie Morales is seventh in the conference with 258 digs, making her a problem for attackers. Sophomore middle blocker Natalie Meyer is trouble behind the service line with 21 aces this season, placing her 14th in the MIAA. Junior outside hitter Makenna Reinert leads her team with 123 kills.

Head Coach
Marisa Compton is in her second season with Newman, totaling an 8-42 record overall. She is 0-3 vs. MWSU, losing both matches in 2022. Compton is 0-1 when the Griffons come to town.

Rivalry Record Rabbit Hole
The Griffons are 12-1 all-time vs. Newman, with their only loss occurring on Oct. 21, 2021, in Wichita, Kansas. Missouri Western is 3-1 in Wichita.

Last Time Out
Missouri Western made short work of Newman earlier this season Sept. 21, winning 3-0 at the MWSU Fieldhouse. Russell led everyone with 13 kills, and Heldt recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 13 digs. 

ON THIS DAY IN GRIFFON VOLLEYBALL HISTORY
Oct. 21 | Box Score | Video Recap
Winning their fourth match in a row at this point, the 2017 Griffons defeated Washburn 3-1 at the MWSU Fieldhouse. The Griffons were led by a match-high 17 kills from Stephanie Doak, and Lauren Murphy totaled a double-double with 11 digs and a match-high 55 assists. Kayla Ruff led everyone with 29 digs.