Fri., Oct. 28
Fort Hays State at No. 12 Northwest Missouri State, 6 p.m. | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS
 
Sat., Oct. 29
No. 8 Nebraska-Kearney at No. 12 Northwest Missouri State, 3 p.m. | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS
 
The No. 12-ranked Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team will play its final four matches at home looking to clinch the program's first-ever MIAA regular season championship.
 
This week Northwest (19-5 overall, 13-3 MIAA) will play host to Fort Hays State (Friday, 6 p.m.) and No. 8-ranked Nebraska-Kearney (Saturday, 3 p.m.) in Bearcat Arena.
 
The Bearcats and Lopers are tied atop the MIAA standings with each team having four matches remaining in the regular season. UNK recorded a 3-0 win over Northwest on the Lopers' home floor on Sept. 30.
 
Fort Hays State is 10-14 overall and 5-11 in MIAA play. UNK is 23-3 overall and 13-3 in MIAA action.
 
MIAA Standings
Northwest Mo. St.      13-3
Neb.-Kearney              13-3
Central Oklahoma       12-4
Central Missouri         11-4
Washburn                   11-5
Pittsburg State            8-8
Missouri Southern      5-10
Fort Hays State           5-11
Missouri Western       5-11
Newman                     3-13
Emporia State             1-15
 
The Bearcats are riding a seven-match win streak into this week's slate of matches, which is the longest active win streak in the MIAA. Northwest's seven-match win streak ranks tied for No. 14 in the nation among active NCAA Div. II winning streaks. With a victory against FHSU, Northwest's win streak would rank among the top-10 winning streaks in program history. Last season, Northwest ran off a streak of 11 consecutive wins.
 
Northwest's Longest Winning Streaks
1. 23 (Sept. 12, 1980 – Oct. 7, 1980)
2. 15 (Sept. 7, 1984 – Sept. 21, 1984)
    15 (Sept. 2, 2016 – Sept. 30, 2016)
4. 11 (Sept. 18, 2021 – Oct. 23, 2021)
5. 9 (Oct. 3, 1984 – Oct. 12, 1984)
    9 (Sept. 16, 1994 – Oct. 1, 1994)
    9 (Sept. 7, 2018 – Sept. 28, 2018)
8. 8 (Oct. 25, 1980 – Nov. 1, 1980)
    8 (Sept. 12, 1981 – Sept. 25, 1981)
    8 (Oct. 3, 1981 – Oct. 16, 1981)
 
NCAA Div. II Longest Active Winning Streaks
1. 22, Wingate
2. 21, Harding
    21, Spring Hill
4. 15, MSU Denver
5. 14, Concordia, St. Paul
6. 13, West Texas A&M
7. 12, Elizabeth City State
8. 10, Adelphi
9. 9, Eckerd
    9, Colorado Mesa
    9, Emmanuel (Ga.)
12. 8, Augusta
      8, Shephard
14. 7, Northwest Mo. St.
      7, Quincy
      7, Charleston
      7, Anderson
 
The 2022 MIAA Tournament is set for Nov. 10-12 at Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Mo. The top eight teams in the MIAA regular season standings will qualify for the tournament. The quarterfinals are set for Thursday, Nov. 10 with games set for 12 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The semifinals are Friday, Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The 2022 MIAA Tournament championship match will be Saturday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.
 
Northwest is one of five teams to have already clinched spots in the 2022 MIAA Tournament. The Bearcats will be joined by Nebraska-Kearney, Central Oklahoma, Central Missouri, Washburn and three other available slots.
 
Tournament Format
Quarterfinals – Thursday, November 10
        Match One | No. 2 Seed vs. No. 7 Seed – 12:00 p.m.
        Match Two | No. 3 Seed vs. No. 6 Seed – 2:30 p.m.
        Match Three | No. 1 Seed vs. No. 8 Seed – 5:00 p.m.
        Match Four | No. 4 Seed vs. No. 5 Seed – 7:30 p.m.

    Semifinals – Friday, November 11
        Match Five | Winner of Match One vs. Winner of Match Two – 5:00 p.m.
        Match Six | Winner of Match Three vs. Winner of Match Four – 7:00 p.m.

    Championship – Saturday, November 12
        Match Seven | Winner of Match Five vs. Winner of Match Six – 6:00 p.m. 
 
Northwest is 6-4 against ranked foes this season, including a mark of 3-2 against top-10 ranked opponents. Northwest's only other loss this season came against Regis when the Rangers were unranked. Regis is ranked No. 17 in last week's AVCA Coaches Top 25 Poll.
 
Northwest vs. Top-25 Ranked Foes in 2022
W, 3-1 at No. 14 West Texas A&M (8/27)
W, 3-0 vs. No. 16 Angelo State (9/2)
L, 3-1 at No. 4 MSU Denver (9/2)
W, 3-1 vs. No. 3 Western Washington (9/3)
L, 3-2 at No. 18 Central Missouri (9/7)
W, 3-1 at No. 2 Washburn (9/17)
L, 3-0 at No. 6 Nebraska-Kearney (9/30)
L, 3-0 at No. 24 Central Oklahoma (10/7)
W, 3-1 vs. No. 25 Central Missouri (10/11)
W, 3-1 vs. No. 10 Washburn (10/14)
 
Northwest has played 15 straight matches of four sets or less. Northwest has only played two five-set matches this season and none since Sept. 7. Northwest is 12-2 in three-set matches and 7-1 in four-set matches. Northwest is 19-3 in matches of four sets or less this season.
 
The Bearcats are 17-7 in the first set. Northwest is 21-3 in the second set. Northwest is 16-8 in the third set. The Bearcats are 8-2 in the fourth set.
 
Northwest is 15-1 this season when winning the first two sets. Northwest went 15-2 last season when taking the first two sets of a match. Since the start of the 2018 season, Northwest is 64-6 when winning the first two sets.
 
The Bearcats leads the MIAA in service aces (1.75 aces/set). Northwest ranks second in the MIAA in team hitting percentage (.254). Northwest ranks No. 3 in kills (13.92 kills/set). Northwest leads the MIAA in opponent blocks (1.49 blocks/set). The Bearcats rank No. 3 in the league in digs (18.14 digs/set).
 
Setter Alyssa Rezac averaged 12.50 assists per set as she guided Northwest to three more wins. Rezac had 32 assists, eight digs and four service aces in a 3-0 win over Missouri Western. Rezac notched 53 assists, two service aces and a block in a four-set win against Missouri Southern. Rezac wrapped up the week's action with 40 assists, eight digs, one kill, one ace and one block in a 3-0 road win at Pittsburg State. Rezac was named the MIAA Setter of the Week for the fourth time this season and eighth time in her career on Oct. 24. Rezac ranks No. 3 in the MIAA in assists per set (10.74) and that bumps up to No. 2 in MIAA matches only (11.98 assists/set). She ranks No. 4 in the league in service aces per set (0.44). She has posted nine double-doubles this season and 25 in her Bearcat career. She has posted 40 or more assists 10 times this season. Rezac ranks No. 9 in program history on total assists with 2,305.
 
Northwest Career Assists
1. Jennifer Pittrich (1993-1996)         5,428
2. Megan Danek (1999-2002)             5,064
3. Sarah Dannettell (2014-2017)        3,949
4. Laira Akin (2009-2011)                   3,600
5. Abby Wilms (1997-98)                   3,104
6. Maddy Ahrens (2017-2021)           2,847
7. Katie Swenson (2007-2008)           2,441
8. Molly Hankins (2005-2006)            2,332
9. Alyssa Rezac (2019-pres.)               2,305
10. Sherri Miller (1982-1985)             2,185
 
Jaden Ferguson ranks No. 8 in the league in hitting percentage (.318) with 225 kills. Ferguson is hitting .321 with 188 kills in 16 MIAA matches. In MIAA matches, Ferguson ranks No. 5 in total kills (188). Ferguson averaged 5.40 digs per set and secured a team-high eight blocks in helping Northwest to three MIAA victories. Ferguson was credited with 11 digs and eight kills in a 3-0 win over Missouri Western. Ferguson lit up Missouri Southern with 25 digs, 13 kills, five blocks and four service aces. She finished the week with 18 digs, seven kills, three blocks and three aces in a 3-0 victory at Pittsburg State. Ferguson has registered 15 double-figure kill matches this season and 29 for her career.
 
Payton Kirchhoefer leads the Bearcats in kills per set (3.47). She is tied with Jaden Ferguson for the team lead in total kills (253). She has posted 13 double-figure kill performances, including nine double-doubles this season. Kirchhoefer secured her first career 20-20 effort with 22 kills and 22 digs against No. 10-ranked Washburn in Bearcat Arena. Kirchhoefer earned MIAA Offensive Player of the Week honors after she averaged 4.10 kills per set and 4.20 digs per set as Northwest won three matches to move into a tie for first place in the MIAA standings. Kirchhoefer secured eight kills, 17 digs, three service aces and two blocks in a 3-0 sweep of Missouri Western. She notched a double-double Friday with 18 kills and 17 digs in a four-set match with Missouri Southern. Kirchhoefer landed 15 kills and hit .368 in a 3-0 defeat of Pittsburg State. Kirchhoefer earned 10 of her 15 kills in the second set along vs. the Gorillas.
 
Double-Doubles (2022)
Alyssa Rezac               9
Payton Kirchhoefer     9
Jaden Ferguson           8
Olivia Dir                     2
Kelly Wiedemann        2
 
Active Career Double-Doubles
Hallie Sidney               26
Alyssa Rezac               25
Payton Kirchhoefer     9
Jaden Ferguson           9
Olivia Dir                     3
Kelly Wiedemann       2
 
Kate Frakes ranks No. 4 in MIAA matches only with a .339 hitting percentage. Frakes has posted 49 kills in 109 swings in MIAA play. Frakes tied for the sixth-best three-set hitting percentage in program history with 12 kills on 18 swings with one error (.611 hitting percentage) against Fort Hays State on Oct. 1.
 
Abby Brunssen ranks No. 3 in the MIAA in blocks per set (1.05). Brunssen had a season-high nine blocks against Angelo State. Brunssen has tallied a team-best 61 blocks in 2022.
 
Avery Kemp secured a career-high seven blocks in Northwest's 3-1 win over No. 25-ranked Central Missouri. Kemp ranks No. 14 in the MIAA in hitting percentage (.283). Kemp has posted 185 kills on the season. Kemp has recorded eight double-figure kill matches this season. Kemp ranks second on the team with 60 blocks. Kemp secured the sixth-best three-set hitting percentage total in Bearcat history with a .611 hitting effort against Missouri Southern (Sept. 25).
 
Kyah Luhring earned her first career MIAA defensive player of the week honor on Oct. 17. Luhring averaged 5.17 digs per set in helping Northwest to a trio of wins over No. 25-ranked Central Missouri, No. 10-ranked Washburn and Emporia State.
 
Hallie Sidney is one of 40 active NCAA Division II players with 1,000 or more career kills. Sidney has tallied 1,022 career kills for the Bearcats.
 
Northwest put on a serving clinic in a 3-1 win over Emporia State. The Bearcats recorded 18 service aces, tying for the second-most in a single match in program history. It is the most service aces by a Northwest team in a four-set match in school history. Kristen Ford notched seven aces, while Jaden Ferguson tossed in five service aces. Alyssa Rezac contributed with three aces. Karsen VanScoy tallied two aces against the Hornets. Payton Kirchhoefer added the other ace against ESU.

With its next win, Northwest will have secured its 18th 20-win season in program history. It would mark the fifth time in six years that Northwest reached 20 wins or more in a season. Four straight years of 20-win seasons would be the longest stretch since Northwest had six consecutive 20-win seasons from 1980 to 1985.
 
Northwest's 20-Win Seasons
52 – 1980
51 – 1981
46 – 1984
32 – 1982
30 – 1978
28 – 1979
27 – 1983
26 – 1994
25 – 1985, 1999
24 – 2021
22 – 2016, 2018
21 – 1990, 1998
20 – 1996, 2019

Northwest won a program-best 17 MIAA matches in 2021. The previous best of 14 MIAA wins was set in 2018. Each of the last five seasons has produced the most MIAA wins in program history.
 
Northwest's MIAA Wins – Single Season
1. 17 – 2021
2. 14 – 2018
3. 13 – 2019
    13 – 2022
5. 11 – 2017
6. 10 – 1999
    10 – 2010
    10 – 2016
9. 8 – 2011
    8 – 2014
    8 – 2015
 
Head coach Amy Woerth is in her 11th year at the helm of the Bearcat volleyball program. Woerth has compiled an overall mark of 180-120. Woerth ranks No. 2 in coaching victories in program history with 180 – trailing only Sarah Pelster (199 wins from 1991-2002).
 
Northwest Volleyball Coaching Victories
1. Sarah Pelster (1991-2002) - 199
2. Amy Woerth (2012-current) – 180
3. Pam Stanek (1977-81) - 176
4. Susie Homan (1982-84) - 105
5. Peggy Voisin (1987-90) - 64
6. Anna Tool (2006-09) - 56
7. Cathie Schulte (1985-86) - 37
8. Lori Slight (2003-05) - 35
9. Jessica Reinhart (2010-11) - 29
10. Theresa Hospodarski (1975-76) – 12
 
Northwest Volleyball Coaching Win Percentage
1. Pam Stanek (1977-81) - .655 (174-93-7)
2. Susie Homan (1982-84) - .642 (105-58-2)
3. Amy Woerth (2012-current) - .600 (180-120)
4. Jessica Reinhart (2010-11) - .475 (29-32)
5. Sarah Pelster (1991-2002) - .468 (199-226)
6. Anna Tool (2006-09) - .415 (51-72)
7. Cathie Schulte (1985-86) - .411 (37-53)
8. Peggy Voisin (1987-90) - .349 (64-114)
9. Lori Slight (2003-05) - .354 (35-64)
10. Theresa Hospodarski (1975-76) - .237 (12-43-4)
 
Woerth and the Bearcats earned the program's second NCAA Tournament appearance in 2021. Northwest set a school record with 17 MIAA victories last season. The previous best of 14 was set in 2018.
 
Northwest is ranked No. 12 in this week's AVCA Top 25 Coaches' Poll. Northwest has been ranked 45 times in its program history. Northwest set the program's highest ranking at No. 3 in the Oct. 25, 2021, poll. Northwest has been ranked in the AVCA Top-10 14 times.

Northwest in AVCA Top 25
Sept. 19, 2016 – No. 22
Sept. 26, 2016 – No. 20
Oct. 3, 2016 – No. 18
Oct. 10, 2016 – No. 17
Oct. 17, 2016 – No. 17
Oct. 24, 2016 – No. 16
Oct. 31, 2016 – No. 21
Nov. 7, 2016 – No. 25
Nov. 14, 2016 – No. 25
Sept. 9, 2019 – No. 18
Sept. 16, 2019 – No. 15
Sept. 23, 2019 – No. 11
Sept. 30, 2019 – No. 10
Oct. 7, 2019 – No. 10
Oct. 14, 2019 – No. 14
Oct. 21, 2019 – No. 14
Oct. 28, 2019 – No. 14
Nov. 4, 2019 – No. 14
Nov. 11, 2019 – No. 19
Nov. 18, 2019 – No. 20
Nov. 25, 2019 – No. 21
Dec. 16, 2019 – No. 25
2021 Preseason – No. 17
Sept. 6, 2021 – No. 8
Sept. 13, 2021 – No. 12
Sept. 20, 2021 – No. 13
Sept. 27, 2021 – No. 13
Oct. 4, 2021 – No. 10
Oct. 11, 2021 – No. 9
Oct. 18, 2021 – No. 6
Oct. 25, 2021 – No. 3
Nov. 1, 2021 – No. 5
Nov. 8, 2021 – No. 5
Nov. 15, 2021 – No. 4
Nov. 22, 2021 – No. 4
Dec. 18, 2021 – No. 12
2022 Preseason – No. 12
Aug. 29, 2022 – No. 10
Sept. 5, 2022 – No. 12
Sept. 12, 2022 – No. 13
Sept. 19, 2022 – No. 11
Sept. 26, 2022 – No. 10
Oct. 3, 2022 – No. 10
Oct. 10, 2022 – No. 15
Oct. 17, 2022 – No. 13
Oct. 24, 2022 – No. 12
 
The Bearcats came in as the favorites in the preseason MIAA coaches' poll. Northwest received three first-place votes and edged out three other schools in a tight vote among the league coaches.
 
2022 MIAA Volleyball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1) Northwest Missouri – 90 Points [3 First-Place Votes]
T2) Nebraska Kearney – 85 Points [3 First-Place Vote]
T2) Washburn – 85 Points [3 First-Place Vote]
T2) Central Missouri – 85 Points [2 First-Place Vote]
5) Central Oklahoma – 60 Points 
6) Pittsburg State – 56 Points
7) Fort Hays State – 44 Points
8) Missouri Western – 43 Points
9) Emporia State – 21 Points 
10) Missouri Southern – 20 Points
11) Newman – 16 Points
*Coaches Are Not Allowed To Vote For Their Own Team
  
For the ninth straight year and 16th time overall, the Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team earned the United States Marine Corps/American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award. The Bearcat volleyball team recorded a 3.57 cumulative team grade point average during the 2021-22 season. Northwest was one of 148 NCAA Division II schools to gain the USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award this year.