PITTSBURG, Kan. – The (RV) MoWest volleyball team (2-0) picked up two wins at the Gorilla Classic on Friday, over Southern Arkansas and Pittsburg State to begin the 2025 season.

The Griffons opened the day with a dominant sweep of Southern Arkansas (25-20, 25-13, 25-20) before capping the night with a thrilling five-set comeback, rallying to reverse sweep Pittsburg State (19-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-13) for their first MIAA win of the season.

MATCH 1:
In the first match of the day for MWSU, the Muleriders jumped ahead 5–1 before MoWest responded with a run to take a 12–7 advantage. The Griffons later added a five-point surge, capped by two Taylor Russell kills, to push the margin to 20–14. Southern Arkansas trimmed it to 24–20, but a service error closed the door as MWSU secured the first set of the season, 25–20.

After giving up the opening point of set two, MWSU quickly took control in the set and never looked back. The Griffons strung together multiple runs to pull away and sealed set two in dominant fashion, 25–13, for a double-digit victory.

Set three belonged to the Griffons early, as they surged to a 22–12 lead. Southern Arkansas battled back with a run, cutting the deficit to 22–18 behind several Griffon miscues and a service ace. MoWest steadied from there, closing the set on a Brooklyn Gormley finish to lock in the 25–20 win and complete the sweep.

MATCH 2:
In their first MIAA matchup of the season, the Griffons clashed with host Pittsburg State in a back-and-forth five-set thriller.

The opening set saw Pittsburg State take control with a run to build an 8–4 lead. The Griffons later cut the deficit to 18–22, but couldn't sustain the momentum as the Gorillas held off the late push to secure the set, 25–19.

Set two was a close battle early with both sides trading points up to 17–17. From there, the Gorillas started to gain separation with a run that pushed the lead out to 23–17. In the end Pittsburg State took set two by a score of 25-21.

In the third set, the Griffons fell behind early, trailing 13–7. MoWest responded by cutting the deficit to 19–13 before igniting a five-point surge to pull within 19–18. The Gorillas answered back, and the teams traded points to reach a 21–21 tie. From there, MWSU put together another run to reach set point at 24–21 and closed out the frame with a 25–22 victory, sparking momentum in the match.

Set four opened with the Griffons taking charge behind the offensive efforts of Taylor Russell and Emily Loy, pushing MWSU ahead 7–6. The Griffons then strung together a decisive five-point run to seize momentum and build a 12–6 advantage. Pittsburg State answered with a surge of its own, pulling within two at 21–19, but Emma Salker stepped up with key attack and blocks down the stretch. The Griffons held firm and closed out the set, 25–22.

The fifth set was a back-and-forth battle, with the Griffons jumping ahead early before Pittsburg State rallied to tie it at 10–10. MoWest responded with a 4–1 run to reach match point, and though the Gorillas pushed back, the Griffons closed it out 15–13 to complete the reverse sweep for their first MIAA win of the season.

UP NEXT
The Griffons conclude the Gorilla Classic tomorrow, opening against Truman State at 11:30 a.m. before facing Lubbock Christian at 4:30 p.m. inside John Lance Arena. Both matches stream live on The MIAA Network.