EMPORIA, Kan. — Missouri Western State Volleyball needed only three sets (25-19, 25-14, 25-17) to defeat the Emporia State Hornets Saturday on the road at White Auditorium.

The Griffon offense was paced by Holly Heldt, who finished with 13 kills on the day while accumulating a hitting percentage of .333, and by Taylor Russell, who had 10 kills while hitting .304. Missouri Western (11-4, 4-2 MIAA) got 14 digs from Anna Weberg to lead them defensively. Meanwhile, Emporia State (7-7, 1-5 MIAA) was led by Sandora Sasaki's 14 kills. 

SET 1 | The Griffons seized an early lead, handily winning the first set 25-19. Missouri Western never trailed by more than five points and grabbed the advantage for good at 19-18 in a set that showcased four lead changes before the Griffons took over in the second half of the stanza.

SET 2 | Missouri Western built on a set-one win by securing a 25-14 victory in the second set. The Griffons took control of the set lead early on at 3-2 and never looked back. Missouri Western led by as many as 11 points at 18-7 before finishing off the set. The Missouri Western offense also got a boost from five aces in the stanza.

SET 3 | Missouri Western closed the match in a 3-0 sweep after winning the third set. The Griffons took control of the set early when the score was 2-1 and never looked back to win 25-17. Missouri Western led by eight points at 22-14 before finishing off the stanza. The Missouri Western offense also got a boost from three aces in the stanza.

GAME NOTES

• Missouri Western has won four-straight matches.
• Heldt had a match-high four aces in the win.
• Missouri Western served up five aces on the way to a second-set victory.
• Missouri Western attackers were helped by a match-high 29 assists from Nessa Johnson.

UP NEXT
The Griffons head west next Thursday for a 6 p.m. bout with Fort Hays State (7-8, 1-5 MIAA) in Hays, Kansas, at Gross Memorial Coliseum.