ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — For the second time this season, Griffon Volleyball will take on Northwest Missouri State, this time taking place in Maryville at Bearcat Arena.
WHERE TO WATCH
Fans can watch all Griffon Volleyball (15-7, 8-5 MIAA) matches for a subscription fee on the MIAA Network.
NOTABLES
- Leading MWSU with 231 kills, freshman outside hitter Holly Heldt is ninth in the league. Freshman right-side hitter Taylor Russell is 13th (205), senior middle hitter Danielle Moje is 18th (175) and sophomore middle hitter Emma Salker is 19th (161). Missouri Western has the most representation in the MIAA's top-20 kills list.
- Junior setter Nessa Johnson is third in the MIAA with 762 assists. Her 10.30 assists per set rank third in the conference.
- Missouri Western is holding opponents to a .142 hitting percentage, the best mark in the MIAA.
- Opponents have only recorded 766 assists vs. MWSU, the second least in the conference.
- The Griffons have given up the second-least number of kills in the MIAA with 844 against them.
- With 123 blocks given up, the Griffons are the least-blocked team in the MIAA.
- Freshman libero Anna Weberg is second in the MIAA with 388 digs and is second with 5.24 per set. Heldt is 14th with 248 digs and 13th with 3.35 per set. Johnson is 17th at 236 digs and 16th at 3.19 per set.
- Weberg's 5.24 digs per set rank her 19th in Division II.
- Junior middle hitter Lily Kurz is fourth in the MIAA With 77 blocks and is third with 12 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 and seventh with 18.62 team digs per set.
10/24 - SCOUTING NORTHWEST | 6 PM
Coming in at sixth place in the MIAA right behind MWSU, the Bearcats (12-9, 7-6 MIAA) are winners of three matches in a row. Northwest last defeated Newman in four sets on Oct. 18 in Wichita, Kansas. Before then, Northwest beat Missouri Southern in five and Pittsburg State in three. The Bearcats boast a better road record than they do at home, going 6-4 when away compared to a 2-3 home mark at Bearcat Arena.
Who to Watch
Northwest is led by junior middle hitter Avery Kemp, whose .306 hitting percentage ranks sixth in the MIAA. Right behind her is fellow junior middle hitter Abby Brunssen, sitting in ninth place at .288. Brunssen is also sixth in the conference with 73 blocks, and Kemp is sixth with 10 solo blocks. Junior defensive specialist KyahLuhring is third within the league with 354 digs and freshman setter Ella Caffery is eighth with 574 assists.
Head Coach
In her 12th season with Northwest, Amy Woerth is 209-133. She is 15-7 vs. MWSU and 6-4 when the Griffons visit Maryville.
Rivalry Record Rabbit Hole
The Griffons have a 66-35 record against Northwest since first playing in 1977. However, the Bearcats have won the last 10 matches, with the Griffons' last win occurring on Oct. 24, 2017, in Maryville.
Last Time Out
Northwest took a victory away from MWSU in 3-0 fashion earlier this season on Sept. 19 at the MWSU Fieldhouse. Heldt led the Griffons with 12 kills that night, but Kemp's six kills and five blocks led the Bearcats to a road win.
ON THIS DAY IN GRIFFON VOLLEYBALL HISTORY
Oct. 24 | Box Score
The Griffons of 2014 relished in a short and sweet night nearly a decade ago today, defeating Missouri Southern in straight sets at the MWSU Fieldhouse. Jessie Thorup led everyone with 14 kills, and Jordan Chohon notched a match-high 37 assists and three blocks. The Lions were held to 23 kills, while the Griffons tallied double that with 46.
-30-
