ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The No. 7 Griffon volleyball team returns to the Looney Complex this weekend for a pair of MIAA matchups as part of Homecoming and Pink Weekend. MoWest will host Fort Hays State on Friday, Oct. 9, at 6 PM before welcoming No. 5 Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 1 PM.

The Griffons enter the weekend with a 15-1 overall record and a 5-1 mark in MIAA play, continuing the best start in program history.

Saturday's nationally ranked showdown against Nebraska-Kearney has been featured by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) in its "Where to Watch This Week's Top Matches" selection, highlighting one of the premier NCAA Division II volleyball matchups of the weekend.

Both matches will be livestreamed on the MIAA Network with a subscription. Tommy Rezac the "Voice of the Griffons," providing radio coverage of both contests. Fans can listen for free through the Varsity Network App or at GoGriffons.com/listen. To listen on the Varsity Network App, search "Missouri Western" after downloading the app on a mobile device. Rezac's radio broadcast will also be synchronized with the Griffons' home broadcasts on the MIAA Network.

Both matches will be part of MoWest Athletics' Pink Weekend, supporting breast cancer awareness and benefiting the Mosaic Life Care Breast Cancer Center.

Last Time Out

MoWest continued its historic start to the 2026 season with a pair of conference road victories last weekend, defeating (RV) Central Missouri and Missouri Southern in four sets.

The Griffons opened the weekend with a 3-1 victory over Central Missouri on Friday before traveling to Joplin for another 3-1 win against Missouri Southern on Saturday.

With the two victories, MoWest improved to 15-1 overall, marking the best 16-match start in program history and surpassing the 14-1 start recorded by the 1983 team.

Anna Weberg anchored the Griffon defense throughout the weekend, recording 42 digs across eight sets for an average of 5.25 digs per set. Weberg finished with 21 digs in each contest and added nine assists over the two matches.

Her performance earned her MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week honors for the second time this season.

The Griffons also extended their overall winning streak to eight matches heading into this weekend's home contests.

Scouting Fort Hays State

Fort Hays State travels to St. Joseph on Friday for an MIAA matchup against the Griffons.

The Tigers will look to pick up a conference road victory as both teams continue their MIAA schedules.

Friday's contest marks the opening match of MoWest's Homecoming and Pink Weekend volleyball slate and the Griffons' first home appearance since their victory over Northwest Missouri State on Sept. 25.

Top-10 Showdown: No. 7 MoWest vs. No. 5 Nebraska-Kearney

Saturday's matchup will feature two of the top seven teams in NCAA Division II as No. 7 MoWest welcomes No. 5 Nebraska-Kearney to the Looney Complex for a 1 PM first serve.

The nationally ranked showdown has been featured by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) as part of its "Where to Watch This Week's Top Matches" selection, highlighting one of the premier matchups on the Division II volleyball schedule this weekend.

Both programs enter the week with just one loss on the season. MoWest holds a 15-1 overall record, while Nebraska-Kearney enters at 17-1, setting up a key matchup between two nationally ranked MIAA programs.

In the latest AVCA/Taraflex Division II Women's Volleyball Poll released Monday, Oct. 5, the Lopers moved up one spot to No. 5 nationally, while the Griffons climbed from No. 8 to No. 7. The rankings mark another milestone for MoWest, which continues its historic start to the 2026 campaign.

Nebraska-Kearney enters the week riding an impressive run, having won 51 consecutive sets following its sweep of Northeastern State on Oct. 2. The streak surpassed the program's previous record of 48 consecutive sets, established by the 2004 Loper squad that finished 40-1 and reached the NCAA Division II Final Four.

The Lopers will travel to Northwest Missouri State on Friday before making the trip to St. Joseph for Saturday's matchup.

Saturday Game Day Information

Fans attending Saturday's top-10 volleyball showdown are encouraged to plan ahead due to Homecoming festivities and football game day activities taking place on campus.

Volleyball parking will be available in Lot J only, as Lots I and H will be closed for football game day operations.

Saturday's volleyball match will feature a Griffon Rally Towel Giveaway, while MoWest students can receive a free hot dog and water.

Following the volleyball match, fans can continue the Homecoming celebration with several activities leading up to Griffon Football's matchup against Nebraska-Kearney at Spratt Stadium.

Tailgate lots will open at 2:30 PM, followed by the Homecoming Parade at 3 PM. Pink Weekend shirts will be available in Lot I beginning at 4:30 PM.

The Griffon Tailgate will feature a variety of family-friendly activities, including the Bubble Guy, inflatables, face painting and close-up magic performed by BJ Talley, along with balloon twisting by his daughter. Bryan Alford will provide live steel drum music, while Bluey and Bingo characters will make appearances throughout the tailgate.

Additional children's activities will be provided by United Way, Community Action Partnership, Bursting with Care Preschool, Mosaic and the MoWest Education Department.

Fans can also enjoy a selection of food trucks and vendors, including E-Ram's, The Morning Fix, Kolbdon's Kitchen and Tasty Treats, Sacks Ice Cream, Gelu Northland and Kona Ice.

Saturday Homecoming Schedule

• 1 PM: No. 7 Griffon Volleyball vs. No. 5 Nebraska-Kearney | Looney Complex

• 2:30 PM: Football tailgate lots open

• 3 PM: Homecoming Parade

• 4:30 PM: Pink Weekend shirts available in Lot I

• Griffon Tailgate: Food trucks, inflatables, face painting, live entertainment and family-friendly activities

Pink Weekend

MoWest Athletics will continue its support of breast cancer awareness throughout the weekend, with both volleyball matches serving as designated Pink Weekend events.

Fans can receive a special pink Griffon T-shirt with a $10 donation benefiting the Mosaic Life Care Breast Cancer Center. Shirts will be available only at designated Pink Weekend home events while supplies last.

Pink Weekend also includes Saturday's Homecoming football game against Nebraska-Kearney.

Up Next

Following this weekend's matches, the Griffons will remain at the Looney Complex for the 2026 MIAA Volleyball In-Season Tournament, Oct. 15-17.

MoWest will open tournament play against Washburn on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 6 PM as part of Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night.

The tournament continues Friday, Oct. 16, with Fort Hays State facing Washburn at 6 PM before the Griffons close out the event against Fort Hays State on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2 PM.

All three matches will take place at the Looney Complex in St. Joseph.