MARYVILLE, Mo. - The No. 11-ranked Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team hit .375 and cruised to a three-set home victory over the Pittsburg State University Gorillas on Wednesday night in Bearcat Arena.

Northwest won by set scores of 25-19, 25-12 and 25-18. The Bearcats have defeated the Gorillas in nine consecutive matchups. Overall, Northwest has won 15 of the last 17 times the teams have met. Northwest has also won six straight vs. PSU in Maryville.

Northwest is now 10-3 overall and 4-1 in MIAA play, while PSU is 8-6 overall and 2-3 in league action.

The Bearcats were led by Payton Kirchhoefer, Jaden Ferguson and Alyssa Rezac. Kirchhoefer hit .393, totaled a match-high 14 kills and secured five blocks. Ferguson hit .385 and recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 16 digs. Rezac posted 33 assists, eight digs, three service aces and two kills.

Kirchhoefer gained eight of her kills in the opening set as Northwest picked up a 25-19 victory. Northwest hit .282 in the first set with 16 kills and five errors. PSU hit .205 with 13 kills and five errors. Northwest sided out at 70% in the first set.

The Bearcats upped their side out effort to 83% and hit .400 in the second set. PSU hit .029 with eight kills and seven errors. 

Northwest finished off the sweep with a 25-18 effort in the third. Northwest had a 73% side out percentage and hit .317 for the set. PSU hit .132 with 10 kills and five errors. 

Overall, Northwest secured 44 kills to 31 for Pittsburg State. Northwest eight team blocks to only three for PSU. Northwest was credited with seven service aces. PSU had only one service ace.

Northwest will hit the road for a Saturday afternoon matchup with Missouri Southern at 3 p.m. in Joplin, Mo.