No. 8 Northwest Missouri State defeated Upper Iowa, 3-1, in their final match at the Capital Classic. The Bearcats moved to 7-1 on the season and 5-1 all-time against Upper Iowa. 

Northwest took the first set, 25-18, to get out to a 1-0 advantage to start the match. Rachel Sturdevant led the Bearcats with five kills in the set while Abby Brunssen chipped in four winners. Kelsey Havel, Jaden Ferguson, Payton Kirchhoefer each had three kills in the set to contribute to a .348 team hitting percentage. 

Upper Iowa stormed back in set two, finishing the set on a 19-8 run to win the set 25-15 and even things up at one set apiece. The Peacocks held Northwest's offensive attack to just 10 kills and forced eight errors. 

The Bearcats regrouped and commanded the third set, taking a 2-1 lead off a 25-14 win. Northwest hit .500 in the set off of five kills on six attempts from Kirchhoefer and four finishers from Ferguson. Kirckhhoefer finished the set hitting .667 while Ferguson hit .571 in the set. 

Northwest finished off the match with a 25-15 win in set four where the Bearcats held Upper Iowa to a .000 team hitting percentage. Kirchhoefer led Northwest with six kills while Havel chipped in five and Brunssen finished with four. 

Kirchhoefer led a balanced Northwest attack with 16 kills on 33 attempts for a .303 hitting percentage while Havel and Brunssen each finished with 11 winners. Sturdevant also had a double-digit kill match with 10 finishers while Ferguson chipped in nine. 

Alyssa Rezac led Northwest with 50 assists and tallied 11 digs and a block while Hannah Koechl led the Bearcat defense with 17 digs. Kristen Ford and Sophie McMullen each finished with 14 digs while Havel also recorded 12 digs. 

The Bearcats return to Maryville for their home opener next Friday, September 17 against Central Missouri. First serve is set for 6 p.m.