EDMOND, Okla. — Missouri Western State Volleyball jumped ahead 2-0 but couldn't hold on and lost in five sets (25-20, 25-20, 17-25, 18-25, 12-15) to the No. 16-ranked Central Oklahoma Bronchos Friday on the road at Hamilton Field House. 

The Griffons (19-9, 12-7 MIAA) were led by a double-double from Holly Heldt who registered 17 kills and 19 digs on the day. Emma Salker also added 11 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Anna Weberg chipped in for MWSU with 29 digs to go with eight blocks from Emma Salker.

SET 1 | The Griffons opened up an early one-set to none lead, winning the first set 25-20. Missouri Western never trailed by more than five points and grabbed the advantage for good at 9-8 in a set that showcased two lead changes before the Griffons took over the lead.

SET 2 | Missouri Western took the second set 25-20 to swiftly jump to a 2-0 lead. The Griffons never trailed by more than five points and grabbed the advantage for good at 20-19 in a set that featured 16 ties and five lead changes. Missouri Western State's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking four Central Oklahoma attacks in the stanza.

SET 3 | The Bronchos (25-4, 16-3 MIAA) wouldn't let the match end in a sweep, taking set three to narrow the lead two sets to one in the match. The Griffons dropped a tough set 25-17. Missouri Western trailed by as many as eight points as Central Oklahoma grabbed the advantage for good at 10-9 in a set that was tied up five times before the Bronchos took over the lead.

SET 4 | Missouri Western then dropped their second straight set 25-18 to bring the match level to two sets apiece. The Griffons fell behind on the first point and never clawed back into the lead before losing the set.

SET 5 | Missouri Western won the first two sets but dropped the next three sets on their way to losing the match. The Griffons had a lead early in the set at 6-6 before Central Oklahoma took over.

GAME NOTES

• Missouri Western had three players in double figures in kills and five players in double figures in digs.
• Lia Graham had a match-high three aces in the loss.
• Holly Heldt registered a double-double with a team-high 17 kills and 19 digs
• Missouri Western got a team-high 29 digs from Anna Weberg.
• Missouri Western attackers were helped by a team-high 37 assists from Nessa Johnson.

UP NEXT
The Griffons head to Pittsburg, Kansas to play the Pittsburg State Gorillas (10-18, MIAA, 5-14 on Saturday at 6:00 p.m at the John Lance Arena to round out their regular season play.