Box Score TAMPA, Florida - The No. 17-ranked Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat volleyball team completed a 2-0 day at the 2021 Courtyard by Marriott Volleyball Classic at the Martinez Center.

Northwest tallied a 3-0 sweep of Ashland by set scores of 25-20, 25-18 and 25-14.

Ashland held a 12-7 lead midway through the opening set. Northwest responded with a 10-1 run to give the Bearcats a 17-13 advantage and forced Ashland to use both of its timeouts. Northwest notched 16 kills in the opening set, while limiting Ashland to nine.

The Bearcats doubled up the kill total in the second set, 16-8, as they picked up a 25-18 win.  Northwest built leads of 10-2 and 15-4 as it took a 2-0 lead.

Northwest romped in set three with a convincing 25-14 victory. The Bearcat never looked back in securing 13 kills, while holding Ashland to six. Northwest hit .480 in the third set.

The Bearcats tallied 45 kills in the match, while Ashland recorded 23 total kills. Northwest hit .311 for the match. Ashland was held to a .115 hitting percentage. Northwest achieved seven service aces. 

Jaden Ferguson led the way with 11 kills and a .524 hitting percentage. Ferguson also registered three blocks. Maddy Ahrens secured a team-best 35 assists.

The Bearcats will be back in action Saturday with matches against Illinois-Springfield (9:30 a.m.) and vs. No. 5-ranked Tampa (2 p.m.).