ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - No. 24 Missouri Western volleyball threw 13 blocks and held Northwest Missouri State to a .103 hitting percentage, fueling the Griffons (18-4, 8-2 MIAA) to a 3-0 sweep (25-15, 25-22, 25-18) over the Bearcats on Saturday afternoon at the MWSU Fieldhouse.

Missouri Western earned its sixth consecutive victory and notched its first win over Northwest in St. Joseph since 2017. The Griffons split the regular season series with Northwest after losing in five sets in Maryville on Oct. 8.

The Griffons jumped on Northwest from the get-go, using an 8-2 run in the first set to lead 15-5. Western won the first set handily, 25-15.

Northwest (12-8, 6-4 MIAA) fought hard in the second set, as the second frame featured 12 ties and five lead changes. Northwest led by two, 18-16, in the second, drawing a Missouri Western timeout. After that, Western reeled off a 7-4 run to lead 23-21 and eventually win the second set 25-22.

Set three started about the same way as the first set did. After Northwest led 2-0, Missouri Western fired off a 7-0 barrage and led it 9-4 early. Northwest closed the gap somewhat, but the Griffons led 17-11 and controlled the pace down the stretch to win the third, 25-18.

Taylor Russell led the Griffons offensively with 11 kills. She also assisted on six blocks. Emma Salker had nine kills and two solo blocks. Anna Weberg had a match-high 24 digs. Nessa Johnson had 33 assists to go with 10 digs and three kills, giving Johnson her 13th double-double this season. Holly Heldt had seven kills and 12 digs. 

Kasidy Mohwinkle led Northwest with 11 kills. The Bearcats were hindered by 25 total errors, compared to just 13 by the Griffons.

Missouri Western goes back on the road this Wednesday to face Washburn. That match is set to start at 6 p.m.