SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – Michigan Tech University served up a 3-1 victory over the No. 8-ranked Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team at the Capital Classic.
 
The Huskies won by set scores of 24-26, 29-27, 25-21 and 25-19. Michigan Tech improves to 3-3 on the year, while Northwest suffers its first loss and moves to 5-1 overall.
 
Northwest was led by freshman Payton Kirchhoefer's 26 kills. Her 26-kill effort ties for the fifth-best by a Bearcat in a four-set performance in program history.
 
The first set featured 15 ties and eight lead changes as the Huskies and Bearcats battled back and forth. The first two-point lead of the match came when Michigan Tech took a 16-14 advantage. MTU pushed the lead to 20-17 before Northwest used a 5-0 spurt to take a 22-20 lead. The Huskies knotted the set at 22-22. The Huskies earned a set point at 24-23, but a block by Abby Brunssen and Payton Kirchhoefer pulled the Bearcats back to a 24-24 tie. Kirchhoefer hammered a kill to give Northwest a set point. The Bearcats took full advantage of the opportunity as Kirchhoefer came through again with a kill to give Northwest a 26-24 win.
 
Michigan Tech jumped out to a 12-6 lead in the second set. The Huskies continued to increase the lead by taking an 18-9 advantage. Northwest turned the tables on Michigan Tech with a 12-3 run that pulled the set even at 21-21. Northwest had set points at 24-23, 25-24 and 26-25 but could not close out the set. Michigan Tech was able to finish off the set on its second set point, 29-27.
 
The Huskies took a 13-7 lead midway through the third set before a timeout by Bearcat head coach Amy Woerth. The Bearcats pulled to within two points at 20-18, but could not get any closer as Michigan Tech scored a 25-21 lead to take a 2-1 lead in the match. Michigan Tech hit .277 in the third set with 16 kills and three errors, while Northwest hit .116 with 14 kills and nine errors.
 
Northwest could not overcome an 8-3 start to the set by Michigan Tech. The Huskies maintained at least a three-point lead or more through the rest of the set in scoring a 25-19 triumph. Michigan Tech hit .412 in the fourth set with 18 kills and four errors. Northwest hit .281 with 14 kills and five errors.
 
Michigan Tech hit .295 with 69 kills and 17 errors in the match. Northwest hit .225 with 63 kills and 25 errors in the four-set loss.
 
Northwest will return to action Saturday against Purdue University-Northwest (10 a.m.) and Upper Iowa (4 p.m.).