ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Missouri Western volleyball (21-6, 11-4 MIAA) dropped a five-set classic (25-21, 22-25, 25-12, 21-25, 11-15) to No. 4 Nebraska Kearney (27-1, 14-1 MIAA) on Thursday night. This marks the second time this season that the Griffons have taken a top-five team to a fifth set (No. 5 Concordia-St. Paul on Sept. 6).
 
The Griffons started the match with a strong 5-1 run and never fell behind in the first set. Junior Emma Salker led the offense with five kills, hitting an impressive .667. Meanwhile, senior Nessa Johnson contributed significantly by providing 17 assists to help the Griffons secure the set victory.
 
In the second set, the Lopers led by as many as six, but the Griffons didn't give up, as a kill from senior Lily Kurz sparked a 6-0 run to even the set at 22-22. However, the UNK found its footing with three consecutive kills to even the match at 1-1.
 
In set three, Missouri Western took control right from the start. The Griffons established a 10-point lead, thanks to a kill by Johnson at the halfway point, and comfortably secured a 13-point victory. Sophomore Holly Heldt was a key player for the offense, recording four kills and helping the team hit .389.
 
Nebraska Kearney forced a fifth set after winning a competitive fourth set that consisted of 11 ties and two lead changes. They would go on to take the match with a 15-11 victory in the fifth.
 
Taylor Russell shined for the Griffons, recording a season-high 24 kills and six blocks. Loy achieved her 200th career kill with a total of 17 tonight, while Salker (13) and Heldt (11) also finished in double-digit kills. The match featured an impressive display by the two top setters in the MIAA, with Johnson out-dueling UNK's Payton Neff with a career-high 66 assists. On the defensive end, Anna Weberg led the match with 28 digs.
 
Western will return to the court tomorrow for Senior Night against Fort Hays State (12-11, 4-10 MIAA). Action from the MWSU Fieldhouse will begin at 6:00 p.m., and Senior Night festivities will follow after the match's conclusion.