TOPEKA, Kan. - The No. 5-ranked Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team polished off the No. 2-ranked Washburn University Ichabods in a three-game sweep at Lee Arena.

Northwest won by set scores of 25-17, 25-28 and 25-16. It marks the fifth consecutive 3-0 victory for Northwest as the Bearcats improve to 24-4 overall and 17-3 in the MIAA. Washburn falls to 25-4 overall and 17-3 in league play. 

With the victory, Northwest secures the No. 2 seed for the 2021 MIAA Tournament. The quarterfinals will begin Tuesday at home sites.

Payton Kirchhoefer continued her sizzling play by hitting .517 with 17 kills in the three-game sweep of the Ichabods. Avery Kemp notched four blocks, 10 kills and hit .429 with only one attack error.

Setter Alyssa Rezac recorded a match-high 37 digs. Hannah Koechl registered a team-best 19 digs. Kelsey Havel dropped in 11 digs, seven kills and three service aces.

Northwest hit .276 with 45 kills. Washburn hit .096 with 31 kills and 20 errors.

It's the first season series sweep of Washburn since 1999 for Northwest.