ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The No. 2-seeded and No. 12 nationally ranked Griffon volleyball team fell to No. 6-seeded Pittsburg State in four sets (22-25, 25-22, 22-25, 19-25) on Friday evening in the semifinals of the 2026 MIAA Volleyball Championship at the St. Joseph Civic Arena.
The Griffons moved to 23-5 overall, while the Gorillas improved to 24-8 and advanced to the MIAA Championship match.
Taylor Russell led MoWest offensively with 19 kills on a .294 hitting percentage, while Anna Strohmeier added 14 kills and hit .306. Emily Loy contributed 13 kills on a .321 hitting percentage, giving the Griffons three players with double-digit kills.
Defensively, Anna Weberg recorded a match-high 27 digs and two service aces, while Katelyn Diani-O'Day added 16 digs and 29 assists. Holly Heldt finished with 14 digs and eight kills, while Emma Duff contributed 25 assists. Mackenzie Peters and Brooklyn Gormley each recorded four blocks.
The opening set featured five ties and four lead changes as both teams battled for early momentum. The Griffons recorded 14 kills but committed nine attack errors, allowing Pittsburg State to take the opening set 25-22.
MoWest responded in the second set with 17 kills while holding the Gorillas to 11. The Griffons hit .182 and secured a 25-22 victory to even the match at one set apiece.
Both teams delivered their strongest offensive performances in the third set. MoWest recorded 18 kills with just three attack errors, hitting a match-best .366. However, Pittsburg State answered with 20 kills and a .375 hitting percentage to take the set 25-22 and move ahead 2-1.
The Gorillas closed out the match in the fourth set, recording 14 kills while hitting .293. The Griffons totaled 13 kills but committed nine attack errors, finishing with a .077 hitting percentage as Pittsburg State secured the 25-19 victory.
What's Next
The Griffons' postseason fate now rests in the hands of the NCAA Selection Committee as MoWest awaits the NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championship Selection Show on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 9 p.m. CT on NCAA.com. The Griffons will look to secure a spot in the NCAA Central Regional, scheduled for Nov. 19-21 or Nov. 20-22.
