ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Missouri Western volleyball team (11-2, 2-0 MIAA) secured its best start in the NCAA Division II era with a five-set thriller over No. 24 Washburn (9-3, 0-2 MIAA) on Saturday night.

Since joining the NCAA in 1989, the MWSU volleyball team has had strong starts to its seasons, including the previous best of 10-2 back in 2015. However, this season has been the team's best in 35 years as an NCAA institution, and the best overall since 1987.
 
In their second-ranked win of the season, the Griffons finished with set scores of 23-25, 29-27, 25-21, 17-25 and 18-16 to upset the Ichabods at the MWSU Fieldhouse. They extended their season win streak to seven games and their series streak against WU to five.
 
In the opening set of the night, the two teams went blow for blow, with 14 tied scores and eight lead changes. Washburn prevailed at the end with a 3-0 run to take an early advantage.
 
Set two was an all-timer that required extra points to decide a winner. Neither team could pull away until Taylor Russell scored back-to-back kills to secure the win. The sophomore led the offensive attack with seven total kills, while Nessa Johnson provided a boost with 17 assists.
 
MWSU carried its momentum into the third set with its most decisive set win of the match. Following a late rally from Washburn down the stretch, senior Lily Kurz sparked a 4-1 run that was capped off with a service ace from Lia Graham. Russell (13) and Holly Heldt (10) both reached double-digit kills, and Johnson dished out 17 more assists.
 
Washburn responded well in the fourth set, hitting .364 as a team with 16 kills to force a fifth set.
 
The Griffons faced early adversity in the final set when the Ichabods took an early 5-1 lead. After changing sides, MWSU found its rhythm and forced WU to call a timeout after Kurz and Heldt made a pivotal block to tie the score at 9-9. Similar to the first set, extra points were needed to determine the outcome. Kills from Russell and Emily Loy led to a fourth match point, which was sealed with a service ace from senior Hailey Crane.
 
Johnson had a career day at the setter position. The senior from Gilbert, Iowa, tallied a career-high 60 assists and extended her season total to 479. Russell also excelled on offense, with a season-high 21 kills.

Kurz led the match with five total blocks. Weberg added a team-leading 25 digs, while Crane provided 15 digs of her own.
 
Missouri Western will embark on a three-match road trip, starting with a crucial early conference match against No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney. The opening set against the Lopers will begin at 6:00 p.m. next Friday.