TOPEKA, Kansas – The Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team recorded a five-set victory over the Washburn University Ichabods in a high-level, intense MIAA Spring Tournament quarterfinal matchup in Lee Arena.
 
The No. 15-ranked Bearcats (13-2 overall) overcame a 2-1 deficit to pull out the match in the fifth set. Northwest won by set scores of 25-20, 24-26, 26-28, 25-22 and 15-12. The Bearcats notched their seventh straight victory to advance to the MIAA semifinals. No. 14-ranked Washburn finishes its spring season with a record of 14-5 overall.
 
In the opening set, Washburn jumped out to a 5-1 lead. However, the Bearcats quickly evened the set at 5-5. Washburn moved out to a 13-9 lead forcing head coach Amy Woerth to call a timeout. The Bearcats responded from the timeout with a 7-2 spurt to take a 16-15 lead which in turn forced an Ichabod timeout. The WU timeout would not stem the tide as the Bearcats eventually pushed the run to 12-3 by taking a 22-17 lead. Northwest would close out the opening-set win with a 25-20 triumph. Northwest finished the set on an 8-3 scoring run with Bethany Elkins scoring three of Northwest's final eight points, including the final two
 
The second set was a nip and tuck affair from the start. The set featured 15 ties and nine lead changes. Neither squad led by more than three points at any time in the set. Northwest looked like it had taken a commanding lead at 16-13, only to have Washburn respond with a 5-0 run to take an 18-16 lead. Northwest would battle back to tie the set at 18-18, 19-19 and 20-20. Washburn took a 22-20 lead forcing Woerth to take her first timeout of the second set. Northwest evened it up at 24-24 on a kill from Bethany Havel. Washburn would gain the final two points to take the set, 26-24, and even the match at a set apiece.
 
The Ichabods scored a 28-26 triumph in the pivotal third set. The Bearcats held a 16-13 lead midway through the set. However, Washburn used a 7-1 run to take a 20-17 lead. Northwest battled back and evened the score at 23-23. Following a Payton Kirchhoefer kill, Northwest had a set point. Washburn was able to fend off the set point and pushed the game into 'overtime'. Bethany Havel put down kills with Northwest facing set point, however Washburn was able to eventually take the set, 28-26, for a 2-1 lead in the match. Bethany Elkins led the Bearcats with five kills in the third set.
 
With their season on the line the Bearcats roared back and took a 25-22 victory in the fourth. Washburn took a 12-8 lead and had Northwest on the ropes. Fueled by a pair of service aces from Havel, Northwest stormed back and took a 13-12 lead. Washburn took control of the set again and held an 18-15 lead when Woerth took a timeout. Northwest came out of the break and knotted the set at 19-19. Ferguson landed a big blow with a solo block at 20-20 to give Northwest the lead for good. Havel added a block and then teamed up with Rachel Sturdevant for a block to put the Bearcats on the brink of a fifth set. Following an attack error by the Ichabods, the match headed to a fifth and decisive set.
 
In the race to 15 in the final set, Northwest gained an early 3-0 edge. Washburn came back to tie the set at 3-3, only to have Northwest race back out in front, 9-5. Riding the arms of Havel and Jaden Ferguson, the Bearcats put away the Ichabods, 15-12. Havel tallied six kills in the fifth set and teamed up with Sturdevant for a block on match point to clinch the Bearcat victory.
 
Northwest advances to the MIAA Tournament semifinal to take on Central Missouri. The semifinal match between the Bearcats and Jennies will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday.