PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Pittsburg State University Gorillas snapped an 11-match losing streak to Northwest Missouri State University in volleyball with a 3-0 sweep over the Bearcats in John Lantz Arena.
 
It marks the first 3-0 sweep for the Gorillas over the Bearcats since Oct. 30, 2009.
 
Pittsburg State won by set scores of 27-25, 25-15 and 25-13.
 
The Gorillas led 14-9 in the first set only to see the Bearcats knot the set at 15-15. PSU extended its lead to 20-17, but again Northwest responded and evened the set at 20-20. Northwest had a set point at 24-23, but could not convert. PSU was able to close out the set on its second opportunity at 27-25.
 
PSU did not trail in the second set after jumping out to a 5-1 lead. Northwest closed to within 8-6, but could not get any closer. PSU pushed the lead to eight at 17-9 and did not look back in taking the second, 25-15.
 
Northwest looked to turn the momentum in the match by taking a 5-3 lead in the third. However, PSU used a 9-1 run to take a 12-6 lead as Northwest used both of its timeouts during the run.
 
The Bearcats hit .125 with 33 kills and 18 attack errors. The Gorillas hit .297 with 44 kills and only 11 attack errors. PSU out-blocked Northwest, 10-7. The Gorillas also took advantage of a 10-2 lead in service aces. Northwest made another push by pulling to within 16-12. The Gorillas answered the Bearcat challenge by scoring nine of the final 10 points, including the final seven in a row to take the set, 25-13.
 
Bearcat setter Ella Caffery tallied her team-leading ninth double-double with 22 assists and 12 digs.
 
Junior Payton Kirchhoefer notched nine kills to move her career total to 991.
 
Northwest will wrap up the MIAA regular season Saturday at 3 p.m. with a match against No. 16-ranked Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla.