MARYVILLE, Missouri – The No. 17-ranked Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team took care of its rival Missouri Western in a three-set sweep at Bearcat Arena.
 
The Bearcats won by set scores of 25-16, 25-17 and 25-19.
 
Missouri Western took a 6-3 lead out of the gates in set one. Northwest responded with a 7-1 run to take a 10-7 lead. Northwest extended its lead to 20-13 before a Missouri Western timeout. Northwest took the opening set, 25-16. Northwest hit .342, while Missouri Western hit .138 in the first set. Northwest tallied 17 kills against only four errors.
 
Freshman Payton Kirchhoefer was nearly unstoppable in the set as she took nine swings that resulted in eight kills (.889 hitting percentage).
 
Northwest took a 12-7 lead in the second set. The Griffons pulled within three at 19-16, only to see the Bearcats extend the margin to 21-16. Northwest closed out the set with a 25-17 triumph to take a 2-0 set lead. Northwest benefited from an 82% sideout effort in the set.
 
The third set was more tightly contested than the previous two as it featured four ties and 10 lead changes. Northwest was able to pull away late for a 25-19 victory. The Bearcats hit .312 in the third set with 17 kills. Northwest posted a 75% sideout percentage in the third.
 
Kirchhoefer led all players with 15 kills and hit .522. Rachel Sturdevant hit .529 with 11 kills and only two attack errors. Alyssa Rezac tallied a match-high 37 assists.
 
The Bearcats produced 10 service aces, while the Griffons had one ace.
 
The Bearcats improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the MIAA North standings, while Missouri Western dropped to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the MIAA North.
 
Northwest will be in action again Saturday in Topeka, Kansas, with a matchup against the No. 19-ranked Washburn Ichabods. First serve at Lee Arena is set for 2 p.m.