ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Griffon Volleyball fought back after dropping set one to secure a 3-1 win (26-28, 25-21, 25-20, 27-25) over the No. 5-seed Washburn Ichabods on Thursday night at Civic Arena.

Missouri Western State ends Washburn's season with a three-match sweep of the Ichabods (17-11) this season. 

The No. 4-seeded Griffons were led by Holly Heldt's 15th double-double of the fall, registering a match-high 20 kills and a career-high 23 digs on the day. Taylor Russell also added 18 kills to help the offense. On the defensive end, Anna Weberg chipped in for MWSU with 23 digs to go with seven blocks from Danielle Moje, one shy of a season-high.

SET 1 | The Griffons couldn't hang on in a back-and-forth first set, losing 28-26 in a game that featured five lead changes and was tied 11 times. Neither team led by more than four points in the match.

SET 2 | Missouri Western tied the match at 1-1 following a 25-21 set-two win. The Griffons survived a back-and-forth set to win in a stanza that featured three lead changes and was tied nine times. Neither team led by more than four points along the way.

SET 3 | Missouri Western built on that second-set success with a victory in set number three to open up a lead at two sets to one. The Griffons scored first and never trailed in the set to secure a 25-20 victory. Missouri Western opened up as much as a seven-point lead at 23-16 before closing out the set, collecting 20 kills in the process.

SET 4 | Missouri Western finished off the match with a 27-25 fourth-set victory, winning its third set in a row. The Griffons survived a ferocious Washburn rally, holding on to win after leading by eight points at 14-6 earlier in the set. The Griffons' win came in a stanza where 19 of their 27 points came via the kill. Missouri Western got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked four Washburn attacks in the stanza.

GAME NOTES

• Missouri Western had five players in double figures in digs.
• Nessa Johnson had a team-high one ace in the win.
• Missouri Western put together a strong attacking performance, notching a season-high 67 kills in the match.
• Missouri Western never trailed on the way to winning the third set 25-20.
• Missouri Western attackers were helped by a match-high 53 assists from Johnson. 
• With 15 digs, Johnson has 18 double-doubles in 30 matches this season.
• Western totaled season-highs of 111 digs and 60 assists.
• Head Coach Jessica Fey is now 4-1 vs. her alma mater, winning the last four matchups.
• Missouri Western's winning streak vs. Washburn extends to four.

UP NEXT
The Griffons prepare for a third showdown with No. 18-ranked Central Missouri (22-7) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the semifinal round at Civic Arena. The No. 1-seeded Jennies swept Emporia State Thursday evening, notching their 10th consecutive win.