MARYVILLE, Mo. – The No. 24-ranked Missouri Western Griffons clipped the Northwest Missouri State University volleyball squad in three sets at Bearcat Arena.
 
The Griffons won by set scores of 25-19, 25-19 and 25-18. The Griffons improved to 16-5 overall and 8-2 in MIAA play, while Northwest dropped to 8-11 overall and 2-8 in league matches. It is the first time since 2017 the Griffons have swept the regular season series against the Bearcats.
 
Maja Noehrer recorded her third double-figure kill match at Northwest with a career-high tying 12 kills against the Griffons.

Northwest Missouri State opened the first set with a strong start, quickly securing a 3-0 lead through an error forced by Natalie Herrington and Maja Noehrer, a kill by Herrington, and a service ace by Ella Caffery. The team maintained a narrow lead as Noehrer contributed three consecutive kills to make it 10-7.

Despite momentum from the home side, Mo West responded with a series of successful plays, eventually tying the score at 11-11. Northwest Missouri State briefly reclaimed the lead at 15-14 with key kills from Gabrielle Gartner and Kasidy Mohwinkle. However, Mo West capitalized on errors, creating a gap with a 5-0 run late in the set.

The first set concluded with Mo West extending their lead to win 25-19, despite strong efforts from Northwest Missouri State to stay in contention.

Northwest Missouri State began the second set by building an early lead, highlighted by Noehrer's kill off an assist from Caffery. The home team's defense was effective with Herrington contributing blocks that halted Mo West's initial advances. This early momentum put Northwest ahead 3-0.

Mo West responded with a sequence of points, taking the lead at 6-3 following several attack errors by Northwest. However, Northwest regained the advantage with a string of successful plays, including service aces and kills from Mohwinkle. This run brought the score to 10-6 in favor of Northwest.

The set continued with back-and-forth scoring. Noehrer and Herrington managed to keep Northwest competitive, closing the gap to 15-14. Despite their efforts, Mo West capitalized on a series of kills and service aces towards the end of the set. Mo West closed the set with a 25-19 lead, taking advantage of Northwest's service errors and attack errors.

In the third set, Northwest Missouri State initiated with momentum as Herrington delivered a crucial kill with assistance from Caffery, leveling the score early. Despite this, MWSU responded with a series of points, including a service ace by Anna Weberg, which contributed to their lead. As the set progressed, Kate Frakes and Mohwinkle each executed key kills, briefly closing the gap. However, MWSU maintained their advantage with consistent plays.

Caffery contributed both a kill and back-to-back service aces to mount a late surge, bringing the score closer. Nonetheless, MWSU capitalized on their lead with Taylor Russell's decisive kill and another service ace by Lia Graham, concluding the set with a 25-18 victory over Northwest Missouri State.

Caffery recorded 29 assists and added four service aces, contributing significantly to the offense. Noehrer led the attack with 12 kills and added three blocks, finishing with 14.5 points. Herrington was effective at the net with two solo blocks and three block assists, totaling five blocks. Mohwinkle contributed defensively with 11 digs and added seven kills to her performance. Karsen VanScoy notched a team-best 12 digs for her 19th consecutive double-figure dig effort.
 
Northwest will be in action again next Friday at home against No. 25-ranked Emporia State and next Saturday against No. 2-ranked Washburn.