MARYVILLE, Mo. - The No. 12-ranked Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team overcame a five-point fifth-set deficit with seven consecutive points to close out a home-court win over the Fort Hays State University Tigers.

Northwest won its eighth consecutive match by set scores of 25-15, 25-17, 22-25, 19-25 and 15-13. Northwest captured its 20th win of the season and remained in first place in the MIAA standings with a league mark of 14-3. FHSU dropped to 10-16 overall and 5-13 in MIAA play.

Northwest captured its first five-set win of the season. Northwest had played 15 straight matches that went four sets or less entering Friday's match.

Avery Kemp rattled off a team-high 17 kills and hit .385 with five blocks. Jaden Ferguson recorded a double-double with 14 kills and 16 digs to go along with a team-best four service aces. Abby Brunssen earned her third double-figure kill total on the season with 12.

Payton Kirchhoefer came up with a double-double as well with 13 kills and 18 digs. Kirchhoefer recorded four of her kills in the fifth set as she powered the Bearcats to the comeback win.

Alyssa Rezac dished out 58 assists and added 13 digs.

Northwest looked to be in total control in the first two sets by scoring 25-15 and 25-17 victories. However, FHSU turned the tables on the 'Cats by evening the match with wins in the third and fourth sets by the counts of 25-22 and 25-19.

The Tigers bounced out to a 7-4 lead in the decisive fifth set forcing Northwest head coach Amy Woerth to use a timeout. The Tigers kept the pressure on the Bearcats by going up five at 12-7 and eventually 13-8.

However, Northwest found its rhythm at the right moment. The Bearcats rode the serving of Karsen Van Scoy to draw even at 13-13. Following an attack error by FHSU setter Jaida Felix, Northwest earned a match point. Kirchhoefer took full advantage and slammed the opportunity for a kill to close out the 15-13 triumph.

Northwest will be back in action Saturday at 3 p.m. against the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers.