WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team advanced to the 2021 MIAA Tournament Championship with a 3-1 win over the Washburn University Ichabods at the Multipurpose Building on the University of Central Missouri campus.
 
Northwest (26-4 overall) won by set scores of 28-26, 25-18, 18-25 and 25-20. Northwest recorded its third victory this season over Washburn (26-5 overall). Northwest has defeated Washburn this season when the Ichabods have been ranked No. 1, No. 2 and No. 5 in the AVCA Top 25 poll.
 
Northwest was able to take the first set, but not without some angst. Northwest built a 22-16 lead and appeared ready to close out the set. However, Washburn rallied with an 8-1 run to take a 24-23 lead and had a set point. Northwest regrouped and was able to eventually close out the set, 28-26. Northwest hit .240 with 15 kills and three attack errors. Washburn hit .235 with 19 kills and seven attack errors.
 
 The Bearcats breezed in the second set to a 25-18 triumph to take a 2-0 lead in the match. The Bearcats hit only .086 with 10 kills and seven errors, while the Ichabods hit .061 with 10 kills and eight attack errors. Northwest took advantage of three service aces in the set.
 
Washburn battled back with a 25-18 win of its own in the third set. Washburn built a 15-8 lead and kept Northwest at bay. Washburn did not commit an attack error in the third and hit .310 with 13 kills. Northwest hit .130 with 15 kills and nine attack errors.
 
Northwest clinched the victory with a 25-20 triumph in the fourth. Northwest built a 14-10 lead as Washburn took a timeout. Washburn came back to level the set at 16-16. A trio of service aces from Kristen Ford pushed the Bearcats to the brink of a win. A Rachel Sturdevant kill gave the Bearcats a match point at 24-19. After an Ichabod point, Northwest finished off Washburn for the 25-20 win. Northwest hit .170 in the fourth with 14 kills and six errors. Washburn hit .104 with 11 kills and six errors.
 
Northwest will meet top-seeded Central Missouri Saturday at 7 p.m. for the 2021 MIAA Tournament title. Northwest will be looking for the program's first MIAA tourney title, while Central Missouri is aiming for its third.
 
NOTES: Junior Hannah Koechl eclipsed the 1,000 career dig mark in the match … Koechl has recorded 1,005 digs as a Bearcat … Koechl was credited with 27 digs in the match … Payton Kirchhoefer notched a match-high tying 17 kills … Alyssa Rezac earned her 14th double-double of the season and 15th of her Bearcat career with 34 assists and 16 digs … Kelsey Havel was credited with her 11th double-double this year with 17 kills and 16 digs … Northwest had 10 service aces vs. Washburn … Northwest moved its current win streak to seven in a row … Northwest gained its 17th road/neutral win of the season and moved its mark to 17-2 in matches away from Maryville … Northwest is 19-1 when capturing the first set … it is Northwest's fifth win this season over a top-10 ranked opponent.
 
2021 Wins Over Top-10 Opponents
W, 3-2 vs. No. 1 Washburn (Oct. 15)
W, 3-0 at No. 2 Washburn (Nov. 13)
W, 3-2 vs. No. 5 Tampa (Sept. 4)
W, 3-1 vs. No. 5 Washburn (Nov. 19)
W, 3-2 at No. 10 Nebraska-Kearney (Oct. 1)