ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Missouri Western State Volleyball needed just four sets (26-24, 23-25, 25-14, 25-8, 25-8) to take down the Emporia State Hornets Friday at home at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The Griffons (17-7, 10-5 MIAA) were led by a double-double from Holly Heldt, who registered 11 kills and 17 digs on the day. Emma Salker also added a team-high 13 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Anna Weberg chipped in for MWSU with 23 digs to go with five blocks from Lily Kurz. Nessa Johnson supplied another double with 37 assists and 21 digs. 

Meanwhile, ESU falls to 11-12 and 5-10 in the MIAA.

SET 1 | The Griffons persevered in a back-and-forth first set to win 26-24 in a stanza that featured eight lead changes and was tied 13 times. Neither team led by more than three points in the match. got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked four Emporia attacks in the stanza.

SET 2 | Missouri Western lost the second set 25-23 to tie the match 1-1. In spite of pinpoint serving, the Griffons dropped the set. Missouri Western notched five aces in the set loss.

SET 3 | Missouri Western put the second-set loss in the rearview mirror and took a 2-1 match lead with a victory in set three. The Griffons won the set 25-14. Missouri Western took the lead for good at 7-6 in a set that showcased two lead changes before the Griffons took over the lead. The Missouri Western offense also got a boost from three aces in the stanza. Missouri Western's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking four Emporia attacks in the stanza.

SET 4 | Missouri Western kept the momentum going, earning the match win with a 25-8 fourth-set victory. The Griffons took a 1-0 lead and never looked back in the set to secure the victory. Missouri Western finished up the stanza on a strong note, claiming its biggest lead, 17 points, to finish off the set. Missouri Western also supplemented their offense with three aces in the set.

GAME NOTES

• Missouri Western had three players in double figures in kills.
• Missouri Western had three players in double figures in digs.
• Johnson had a match-high four aces in the win.
• Heldt registered her 10th double-double of the season.
• Johnson's double-double is her 13th this fall.
• Missouri Western never trailed on the way to winning the fourth set 25-8.

UP NEXT
Missouri Western takes on No. 25 Washburn (14-8, 8-7 MIAA) on Saturday at 6 p.m. back at the MWSU Fieldhouse. The Ichabods have lost two in a row, falling 3-0 to Northwest Missouri State on Friday night in Maryville, Missouri.