The 2007 season for the Missouri Western volleyball team had plenty of highlights. It included the arrival of the teamís fifth head coach, Tiffany Mastin, and the Griffons made their third straight appearance in the MIAA Conference Tournament. Although the door closed for one of the teamís most valuable players in Alyssa Berg, another one was opened with the signing of five fresh and talented young women who hope to impact the team in the 2008 season.    On Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007, coach Mastin announced the five players that will be added to the 2008 roster. They are: Amanda Bates from Kolona, Iowa, Alexandra Behnke from Seymour, Wis., Leigh Connot from Lincoln, Neb., Brittany Gurera from Raymore, Mo. and Hannah Zimmerman from Lincoln, Neb.  (Full story)

With her young team playing well, Coach Mastin found many positives in a Wednesday night loss to the No. 6 ranked Truman State Bulldogs.
The Griffons (9-18 overall) lost three straight games to Truman (25-4 overall), but managed to keep all three close.  Games one and two ended 30-23 in favor of Truman, and the third game finished 30-21. 

However, Coach Tiffany Mastin really felt like she saw improvements in her young team.
“Better, a lot better at times.  I thought we played great at times,” Coach Mastin said.
In particular, freshman Megan Voelz really stepped up for the Griffs.   She played one of her best games of the year, according to Coach Mastin.   Voelz had an impressive eight kills, seven digs, and one block.  She stayed aggressive all night long, and didn’t look at all like a freshman.

(Full story)

In a world full a superstar athletes who love to talk about how many highlights they have, one Griffon athlete simply lets her 1,000 highlights do all the talking for her.

Alyssa Berg, a senior at Western, recently became  the 13th Griffon in 32 years of Missouri Western volleyball to record 1,000 career kills.

She has become a leader for the Griffon volleyball team both on and off the court.

“It was really exciting for me, but it is just something that kind of happened along the way,” Berg said. “I just wanted to win volleyball games.” 

Coach Mastin and Alyssa’s teammates describe her as a leader by example. She has been named to the all-tournament team in three of the four tournaments the Griffons have played in this year. She also leads the team in kills, with over 1,050 now and blocked shots with 22, but Alyssa is more than just a statistical leader.

(Full story)

The Missouri Western volleyball game against Pitt State Friday night was a prime example of how important it is to finish strong rather than start strong.

Pitt State was ranked No. 11 in the nation and Missouri Western had been struggling all year.

In the first game, Western jumped out to an early 6-2 lead. There were several lead changes early on until the Gorillas took control at the end of the game and won, 30-25. (Full story)

 Missouri Western Senior volleyball player Alyssa Berg becomes the 13^th player in the history of the school to achieve 1,000 career kills.

Berg achieved the 1,000th kill against Fort Hays State in Hays, Kansas away from home. She is the first Missouri Western volleyball player to achieve a 1,000 kills since 2002. She has 305 kills on the year and is leading the team in this category.

The Missouri Western volleyball team fresh, off their first conference win against Missouri Southern, fell to the No. 23 ranked Emporia State Hornets in four games.

The Griffons fell in game one 30-23, they won game two 30-25 and lost the last two by the score of 30-24 in both. (Full story)

Despite nine kills from senior Alyssa Berg, Missouri Western could not shake the nationally ranked University of Central Missouri Jennies in their home conference opener. Falling in a three game sweep 30-18, 30-12, 30-24.  (Full story)