ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Missouri Western State Volleyball fell on Saturday's Senior Night as the No. 10-ranked Nebraska Kearney Lopers posted a 3-1 (19-25, 12-25, 27-25, 21-25) victory at the MWSU Fieldhouse.
The loss dropped Missouri's record to 19-8 overall and 12-6 in MIAA action. The Lopers improve to 25-3 and 15-3 in the MIAA.
The Griffon offense was paced by Danielle Moje, who finished with a season-high 15 kills on the day while accumulating a hitting percentage of .400. Emma Salker added 13 kills, and Taylor Russell chipped in with 12 as part of a balanced Missouri Western attack. Defensively, had three players reach double figures in digs, including Anna Weberg's 19, 12 from Nessa Johnson and 10 more from Holly Heldt.
SET 1 | The Griffons fell behind early, losing a tough first set 25-19. Missouri Western trailed by as many as six points as Nebraska Kearney grabbed the advantage for good at 9-8 in a set that was tied up 10 times before the Lopers took control.
SET 2 | A 25-12 set-two loss put Missouri Western behind 2-0 in the match. The Griffons lost the first point and never took the lead before dropping the set.
SET 3 | Missouri Western got on the board with a victory in the third set to make it a 2-1 match. The Griffons came out on top of a close battle, winning 27-25 in a set that was tied eight times and had two lead changes.
SET 4 | Missouri Western couldn't build off the set-three victory and lost in set four 25-21 to drop the match. The Griffons fell behind on the first point and fought from behind the rest of the way before falling in the set.
GAME NOTES
- Hailey Crane had a team-high two aces in the loss.
- Missouri Western attackers were helped by a team-high 34 assists from Nessa Johnson.
- Johnson tallied her 14th double-double of the season.
- Moje and fellow senior Jessica Hendrix were honored on Senior Night.
UP NEXT
The Griffons hit the road this week, taking on No. 17 Central Oklahoma (24-4, 15-3 MIAA) on Friday, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m. in Edmond. The Bronchos have back-to-back matches, picking up a 3-0 win over Emporia State this Saturday on the Hornets' home court.
-30-
