ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – No. 11 Griffon Volleyball (17-3, 6-1 MIAA) will hit the road for a pair of matchups this week, traveling to Northwest Missouri State (7-12, 3-4 MIAA) on Tuesday, Oct. 20, before returning to MIAA play against T-No. 15 Washburn (19-5, 6-2 MIAA) on Friday, Oct. 23.

MoWest will open the week with a non-conference contest against the Bearcats at 6 PM in Maryville, Missouri, before traveling to Topeka, Kansas, for a 6 PM conference matchup against the Ichabods on Friday.

Griffon Volleyball enters the week ranked No. 11 in the latest AVCA/Taraflex Division II Women's Volleyball Coaches Poll, released Monday, Oct. 19. MWSU dropped three spots from No. 8 following its five-set loss to Washburn but remains inside the national top 11 for the eighth consecutive week.

MoWest also earned the No. 4 spot in the first NCAA Power Index (NPI) Central Region Rankings, released Monday. The Griffons are one of four MIAA programs ranked among the region's top 10, joining No. 2 Nebraska Kearney, No. 3 Emporia State and No. 8 Washburn.

The NCAA Power Index evaluates team performance based on game results and the strength of opponents to calculate each team's ranking. The rankings are updated throughout the season as additional matches are played.

Last Time Out

Griffon Volleyball closed out the MIAA Volleyball In-Season Tournament with a 3-0 sweep over Fort Hays State on Saturday, Oct. 17, inside the Looney Complex. MoWest earned the victory with set scores of 25-21, 25-8 and 25-18, improving to 17-3 overall and 6-1 in MIAA play.

MWSU finished with 38 kills and a .233 hitting percentage while holding the Tigers to 27 kills and a .055 hitting percentage. MoWest also recorded 10 service aces and nine total blocks.

Tanith Roush led the offense with nine kills and a .308 hitting percentage, while Mackenzie Peters and Brooklyn Gormley each added seven kills. Anna Weberg anchored the defense with a match-high 22 digs, while Katelyn Diani-O'Day recorded six service aces and 17 assists.

The victory helped MoWest bounce back from its five-set loss to Washburn earlier in the tournament.

Scouting Northwest Missouri State

Griffon Volleyball will begin its two-match road swing against Northwest Missouri State (7-12, 3-4 MIAA) on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6 PM in Maryville, Missouri.

MoWest previously defeated the Bearcats in straight sets on Sept. 25 inside the Looney Complex, winning 25-19, 25-14 and 25-10.

Although both programs compete in the MIAA, Tuesday's matchup will be considered a non-conference contest under the league's scheduling format for the 2026 season. With MoWest and Northwest Missouri State designated as travel partners, only their first meeting of the season counts toward the conference standings. Since the two teams have already met earlier this season, Tuesday's contest will not count toward either team's MIAA record.

The matchup will give MWSU another opportunity to face a familiar opponent before returning to conference action later in the week.

Scouting No. 15 Washburn

MoWest will return to MIAA play Friday, Oct. 23, traveling to Topeka, Kansas, for a 6 PM matchup against T-No. 15 Washburn (19-5, 6-2 MIAA).

The Ichabods enter the week ranked T-No. 15 nationally in the latest AVCA Division II Coaches Poll and No. 8 in the first NCAA Central Region NPI rankings. Friday's matchup will feature two nationally ranked programs that are also among the top eight teams in the Central Region.

MWSU and the Ichabods previously met on Oct. 15 inside the Looney Complex as part of the MIAA Volleyball In-Season Tournament, with No. 15 Washburn earning a five-set victory over then-No. 8 Griffon Volleyball.

After dropping the opening set 25-15, MoWest responded with back-to-back set victories of 25-20 and 25-15 to take a 2-1 advantage. Washburn forced a deciding fifth set with a 25-17 fourth-set victory before edging MWSU 17-15 in the final frame.

Friday's matchup will mark the second meeting between the two programs in eight days as Griffon Volleyball looks to avenge its five-set loss on the road. Unlike the Oct. 15 tournament meeting, Friday's matchup will count toward the MIAA conference standings.

Up Next

Following the two-match road swing, Griffon Volleyball will return home to the Looney Complex for a pair of MIAA matchups. MoWest will host Arkansas-Fort Smith on Friday, Oct. 30, at 6 PM before welcoming Northeastern State on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 2 PM.

Saturday's matchup against the RiverHawks will serve as Senior Day and mark the final home match of the season inside the Looney Complex. MWSU will recognize its seniors as part of the Senior Day festivities.