ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Griffon Volleyball took down the Missouri Southern Lions 3-1 (27-25, 25-20, 25-27, 25-22) on Saturday at home inside the MWSU Fieldhouse.

The Griffons were led by a double-double from Holly Heldt, who registered 18 kills and 22 digs on the day. Danielle Moje also added 13 kills to help the attack, adding four blocks. On the defensive end, Anna Weberg chipped in for with 29 digs to go with four blocks from Emma Salker.

SET 1 | The Griffons persevered in a back-and-forth first set to win 27-25 in a stanza that featured six lead changes and was tied 13 times. Neither team led by more than four points in the match. Missouri Western received a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked six Missouri Southern State attacks in the stanza.

SET 2 | After their win in the first set, Missouri Western put itself on the cusp of a sweep with a 25-20 victory in set number two. The Griffons grabbed control of the set lead early on at 4-3 and never looked back. Missouri Western opened its biggest lead of the stanza, five points, to finish off the set. The Griffon offense also got a boost from three aces in the stanza.

SET 3 | Missouri Western couldn't finish off the sweep, losing the third set to make their lead two sets to one in the match. The Griffons dropped a back-and-forth battle, losing 27-25 in a set that featured three lead changes and was tied eight times. Neither team had a lead of more than four points along the way.

SET 4 | Missouri Western then responded to end the match with a 25-22 set-four victory. The Griffons took the lead for good at 23-22 in a set that showcased three lead changes before the Griffons took over in the second half of the stanza. The Griffon win came in a stanza where 17 of their 25 points came via kills, ending with Taylor Russell's 12th of the day.

GAME NOTES

• Missouri Western had three players in double figures in kills: Heldt (18); Moje (13); and Russell (12). 
• Missouri Western had four players in double figures in digs: Weberg (29); Heldt (22); Nessa Johnson (18); and Jadyn Padilla (12).
• Johnson also had a career-high 54 assists along with those digs, giving her seventh double-double of the season and fifth in a row.
• Johnson had a team-high two aces in the win.
• Heldt registered a double-double with 18 kills and 22 digs, her third of the season.
• This is the 50th win for Jessica Fey in her head-coaching career.

UP NEXT
Missouri Western next plays No. 18 Northwest Missouri State (5-5, 0-2 MIAA) on Tuesday night at home inside the MWSU Fieldhouse on Pack the Stands Night. Northwest lost to Central Missouri 3-2 this Saturday in Maryville, Missouri.