ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Missouri Western State Volleyball won its fifth-straight match by taking down the Fort Hays State Tigers 3-1 (25-21, 24-26, 25-13, 25-23) on Friday at the MWSU Fieldhouse.
The Griffons (19-7, 12-5 MIAA) were led by a double-double from Holly Heldt, who registered a career-high 19 kills and 12 digs on the day. Taylor Russell also added 12 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Hailey Crane chipped in for with a season-high 19 digs to go with six blocks from Lily Kurz.
SET 1 | The Griffons grabbed the first set 25-21 thanks to a strong performance on the attacking side. Missouri Western put together a .314 attack percentage with 14 kills in the set victory. The Griffons opened up a 13-6 lead in the stanza and coasted to victory from there.
SET 2 | Missouri Western then dropped the second set 26-24, evening things at a set each. The Griffons fell in a tight second set, losing in a stanza that was tied five times and had four lead changes.
SET 3 | Missouri Western fought back after the second-set loss to take the third set and a 2-1 lead in the match. The Griffons led from the opening point on in the set to earn a 25-13 victory. Missouri Western State ended on a high note, claiming its biggest lead, 12 points, to close out the set.
SET 4 | Missouri Western kept the momentum going, ending the match with a 25-23 fourth-set victory. The Griffons took the lead for good at 18-17 in a set that featured eight ties and five lead changes. The Griffons' win came in a stanza where 17 of their 25 points came via the kill.
GAME NOTES
- Missouri Western had three players in double figures in kills.
- Missouri Western had four players in double figures in digs.
- Heldt had a match-high three aces in the win.
- Heldt's double-double is her 12th this season.
- Missouri Western never trailed on the way to winning the third set 25-13.
- Missouri Western attackers were helped by a team-high 25 assists from Nessa Johnson.
- This is Head Coach Jessica Fey's 30th win as a Griffon.
UP NEXT Missouri Western takes on No. 10 Nebraska Kearney (24-3, 14-3 MIAA) on Saturday at 6 p.m. back at the MWSU Fieldhouse. The Lopers have won three in a row, defeating Northwest Missouri State 3-0 on Friday in Maryville, Missouri.
