BOX SCORE (PDF) | SEASON STATS (PDF)

ST. JOSEPH, Missouri - The Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team has proven it could take care of its competition in three sets, Tuesday night it let the naysayers know it could be done going the distance as well.

The Bearcats scored a five-set win over Missouri Western in the MWSU Fieldhouse. Northwest won by set scores of 22-25, 25-14, 12-25, 25-23, 15-13.

Northwest (18-5 overall, 10-2 MIAA) stayed perfect on the road in league play with its fifth win in five tries. Missouri Western dropped to 12-13 overall and 4-8 in league play. Entering the match, Northwest had fallen in all four five-set matches this season and the Bearcats had lost 14 of their last 15 five-setters. That all changed behind the play of the two reigning MIAA players of the week - Maddy Bruder and Maddy Ahrens.

Bruder posted her sixth straight double-double with 17 kills and 17 digs, while Ahrens matched her with a double-double (40 assists, 11 digs) and a little bit more with four kills, four service aces and three blocks.

Sophomore Hallie Sidney secured a double-double of her own with 11 kills and 12 digs. Senior Olivia Nowakowski notched a team-best 22 digs.

The Bearcats swept the season series against the Griffons for the first time since the 2012 season.

Northwest will remain on the road this weekend with matches at Lindenwood (Fri., 6 p.m.) and at Central Missouri (Sat., 3 p.m.).

NOTES: Northwest has won the opening set in 10 of its 12 MIAA matches ... it's the first time Northwest has won a five-set match against Missouri Western in St. Joseph since Oct. 16, 1996 ... it's also the first five-set win over Missouri Western overall since a 3-2 Bearcat win in Maryville on Nov. 1, 2011.