Box Score ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Inspired perhaps by the fireworks going on at Spratt Stadium, Missouri Western pushed AVCA No. 1 Washburn to additional points in the first set and a close set in the second but appeared to run out of steam in the third set, falling 3-0 (27-25, 25-20, 25-10) on Saturday night. Jessica Hendrix had 10 kills for the Griffons on the night, posting a .231 hitting percentage.
The Griffons stumbled slightly out of the gate as the Ichabods rolled out to an 8-2 lead. A timeout from head coach Marian Carbin seemed to settle Missouri Western and the Griffons closed the gap to 15-13 before Washburn called its first timeout of the match hoping to regain the momentum. Missouri Western kept nibbling away at the deficit though, eventually tying the set at 19-19 and again at 21-21.
Missouri Western was able to stave off back-to-back set points at 24-22, as Hendrix picked up a side out kill to pull MWSU to 24-23, then the Griffons forced the Ichabods out of system to tie the set at 24-24 on an attack error by Taylor Antonowich. The Griffons couldn't finish the comeback despite a service error from Jalyn Stevenson to tie the score at 25-25, as Genna Berg claimed back-to-back kills for the 1-0 match lead.
MWSU continued to play strong through the early part of the second set, keeping pace with the Ichabods through 9-9 before Washburn pulled away with a 5-1 run. The Griffons tried to find a response, but another four-point spurt from Washburn kept MWSU at arm's length.
In the third set, the Griffons were never able to find a rhythm as Washburn (18-2, 10-1 MIAA) blasted 18 kills en route to a 25-10 win.
Missouri Western (12-8, 4-7 MIAA) returns to the Looney Complex on Tuesday night, hosting the Jennies of Central Missouri in a 6 p.m. match.