MARYVILLE, Mo. - The No. 12-ranked Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team used a season-high 18 blocks to pave the way to a 3-1 victory over No. 8-ranked Nebraska-Kearney at Bearcat Arena.

The victory gives the Bearcats a one-game lead in the race for the MIAA regular season title. Northwest is 21-5 overall and 15-3 in the MIAA. UNK is 24-4 overall and 14-4 in the MIAA.

Northwest notched its ninth straight victory and only its fifth all time against Nebraska-Kearney. The nine-match win streak ties for the fifth-longest win streak in school history. The win was Northwest's second at home against UNK in the all-time series between the two schools.

Northwest is 7-4 against ranked foes this season, including a mark of 4-2 against top-10 ranked opponents.

Payton Kirchhoefer secured a double-double with 12 kills and 22 digs. Jaden Ferguson tallied a double-double with 12 kills and 19 digs to go along with five blocks. Avery Kemp narrowly missed a double-double with 10 kills and nine blocks. Abby Brunssen also came close to a double-double with 11 kills and nine blocks. 

Alysaa Rezac was working on a triple-double as she recorded 49 assists, 13 digs and six blocks.

Northwest's 18 team blocks ranks tied for the fourth in a four-set match in school history.

Northwest registered 100 digs for the second time this season.

The Bearcats will wrap up its home schedule this week with matches against Central Oklahoma (Wednesday, 6 p.m.) and Newman (Friday, 6 p.m.).