Thurs., Nov. 21 – MIAA Tournament Quarterfinal (Civic Arena – St. Joseph, Mo.)
Central Missouri vs. Missouri Western, 12 p.m.
Emporia State vs. No. 9 Central Oklahoma, 2:30 p.m.
Fort Hays State vs. No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney, 5 p.m.
Northwest Missouri State vs. No. 25 Washburn, 7:30 p.m.
MIAA NETWORK | LIVE STATS
 
Fri., Nov. 22 – MIAA Tournament Semifinal (Civic Arena – St. Joseph, Mo.)
Quarterfinal #1 winner vs. Quarterfinal #2 winner, 5 p.m.
Quarterfinal #3 winner vs. Quarterfinal #4 winner, 7:30 p.m.
MIAA NETWORK | LIVE STATS
 
Sat., Nov. 23 – MIAA Tournament Championship (Civic Arena – St. Joseph, Mo.)
Semifinal #1 winner vs. Semifinal #2 Winner, 6 p.m.
MIAA NETWORK | LIVE STATS
 
The No. 5-seeded Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team will take aim at the MIAA Tournament this week at Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph, Mo.
 
The Bearcats will take on the No. 4-seeded and No. 25-ranked Washburn Ichabods in the fourth MIAA Tournament quarterfinal match on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
 
The Bearcats (15-11 overall, 9-7 MIAA) are 4-3 on neutral courts this year with victories over South Dakota Mines, Florida Tech, Spring Hill and Winona State.
 
The Ichabods (20-6 overall, 11-5 MIAA) are 7-1 in neutral court matches this season. Washburn has captured neutral court victories over Sioux Falls, Winona State, Fort Lewis, Western New Mexico, Missouri S&T, Harding and Henderson State.
 
Northwest and Washburn split the season series with the home team winning on each occasion. Northwest posted a five-set win over Washburn in Maryville on Sept. 27. The Ichabods gained a three-set win over the Bearcats in Topeka, Kan., on Oct. 29.
 
The Bearcats are 2-4 against ranked foes this season with wins over No. 21 West Florida and No. 24 Washburn.

Northwest vs. Ranked Opponents in 2024
W, 3-2 at No. 21 West Florida (25-19, 16-25, 25-16, 29-31, 16-14)
W, 3-2 vs. No. 24 Washburn (18-25, 28-26, 25-19, 19-25, 15-12)
L, 3-1 at No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney (25-18, 23-25, 25-12, 25-15)
L, 3-1 vs. No. 11 Central Oklahoma (22-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-13)
L, 3-0 at No. 24 Missouri Western (25-15, 25-22, 25-18)
L, 3-2 vs. No. 4 Nebraska-Kearney (20-25, 22-25, 25-15, 25-17, 15-7)
 
Northwest is 19-30 overall in MIAA Tournament action and 4-11 since 2006. The Bearcats reached the MIAA Tournament championship match in 2021.
 
Northwest's MIAA Tournament History (19-30 Overall; 4-11 Since 2006)
1982
W, 3-0 vs. Truman State (15-4, 15-1, 15-6)
L, 3-1 at Missouri-St. Louis (15-11, 15-9, 3-15 15-11)
W, 3-0 vs. Lincoln (15-8, 15-6, 15-8)
W, 3-0 vs. Southeast Missouri State (15-9, 15-11, 15-8)
W, 3-2 at Missouri-St. Louis (8-15, 15-12, 6-15, 15-12, 15-10)
L, 3-0 vs. Central Missouri (15-5, 15-6, 15-12)
 
1983
W, 2-0 vs. Missouri-St. Louis (15-11, 15-8)
L, 2-1 vs. Central Missouri (11-15, 15-2, 16-14)
W, 2-0 vs. Lincoln (15-5, 15-2)
L, 2-1 vs. Southeast Missouri State (8-15, 15-10, 15-11)
 
1984
W, 2-0 vs. Truman State (15-4, 15-8)
L, 2-0 vs. Central Missouri (15-10, 15-5)
W, 2-0 vs. Southeast Missouri State (15-9, 15-9)
L, 2-0 vs. Central Missouri (15-12, 16-14)
 
1985
W, 3-1 vs. Southeast Missouri State (15-6, 13-15, 15-12, 15-6)
L, 3-0 at Central Missouri (15-9, 15-2, 15-13)
W, 3-0 vs. Truman State (15-7, 15-8, 15-10)
L, 3-0 at Central Missouri (15-11, 15-8, 15-3)
 
1986
W, 3-0 vs. Lincoln (15-6, 15-8, 15-2)
L, 3-0 vs. Southeast Missouri State (15-10, 15-2, 15-12)
L, 3-1 vs. Truman State (13-15, 15-8, 15-6, 15-9)
 
1987
L, 3-0 vs. Southeast Missouri State (15-11, 15-8, 15-13)
W, 3-0 vs. Lincoln (15-12, 15-4, 15-8)
L, 3-1 vs. Southwest Baptist (13-15, 15-10, 15-13, 17-15)
 
1988
L, 3-1 vs. Southwest Baptist (18-16, 15-7, 6-15, 15-13)
L, 3-0 vs. Missouri-St. Louis (15-3, 15-9, 15-10)
 
1989
L, 3-1 vs. Southeast Missouri State (15-9, 15-10, 3-15, 15-13)
W, 3-1 at Southwest Baptist (8-15, 15-12, 15-13, 15-13)
L, 3-1 vs. Missouri Western (15-9, 15-17, 15-9, 15-9)
 
1990
W, 3-0 vs. Pittsburg State (15-7, 15-3, 15-9)
L, 3-0 vs. Southeast Missouri State (15-9, 15-6, 15-3)
 
1991
L, 3-0 vs. Missouri-St. Louis (15-8, 15-4, 16-14)
 
1992
W, 3-1 vs. Washburn (15-10, 15-6, 9-15, 15-5)
L, 3-1 vs. Central Missouri (15-5, 11-15, 15-3, 15-9)
 
2006
L, 3-1 at No. 20 Washburn (30-24, 28-30, 30-25, 30-20)
 
2007
L, 3-0 at No. 15 Emporia State (30-19, 30-25, 30-15)
 
2013
L, 3-0 at No. 8 Washburn (25-18, 25-15, 25-17)
 
2015
L, 3-0 at Central Missouri (25-17, 25-15, 25-17)
 
2016
L, 3-0 at Central Oklahoma (25-20, 25-20, 25-22)
 
2017
L, 3-1 at No. 18 Central Missouri (21-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-19)
 
2018
L, 3-1 vs. No. 11 Central Missouri (25-15, 25-17, 24-26, 25-17)
 
2019
W, 3-0 vs. Missouri Western (25-12, 25-18, 27-25)
L, vs. No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney (2-24, 25-10, 23-25, 25-21)
 
2021
W, 3-0 vs. Fort Hays State (25-22, 25-17, 25-20
W, 3-1 vs. No. 5 Washburn (28-26, 25-18, 18-25, 25-20)
L, 3-2 vs. No. 12 Nebraska-Kearney (21-25, 25-27, 25-21, 25-9, 15-11)
 
2022
W, 3-0 vs. Missouri Southern (25-17, 25-19, 25-17)
L, 3-1 vs. No. 20 Washburn (24-26, 25-23, 26-24, 29-27)
 
2003
L, 3-0 vs. No. 12 Nebraska-Kearney (25-20, 25-17, 25-15)
 
NOTE: 1982-92 and 2006-07 - MIAA champions were determined through postseason tournament. 1993-2005, 2008-2011 and 2014 - MIAA champions were determined by double round-robin record.
 
Northwest has produced nine consecutive winning seasons, which is the longest streak in school history.
 
Northwest leads the nation in team attacks per set (41.90). The Bearcats rank No. 4 in the country in digs per set (19.18). Northwest also ranks No. 1 in the MIAA in digs per set.
 
Northwest set a pair of single-match team records in a five-set win over Missouri Western on Oct. 8, 2024. Northwest posted 143 digs and 264 attacks to set the standard in the school record book for both digs and attacks. The 143 digs and 264 attacks also rank as the top figures in NCAA Div. II volleyball this season.
 
Kyah Luhring ranks No. 28 in the nation and No. 3 in the MIAA in total digs (523). Luhring ranks No. 27 in the country and No. 4 in the MIAA in digs per set (5.23).
 
Luhring was honored as the MIAA Volleyball Defensive Athlete of the Week for the second time this season and sixth time in her career as she averaged 7.42 digs per set and 89 digs in 12 sets on Oct. 14. Luhring set a school record with 54 digs in a five-set win over Missouri Western. The 54 digs are the most by any NCAA Div. II student-athlete this year.
 
Northwest Most Digs (Match)
1. 54, Kyah Luhring vs. Missouri Western (10/8/24)
2. 47, Olivia Nowakowski at Arkansas-Fort Smith (9/15/17)
3. 46, Paige Spangenberg vs. Fort Hays State (10/24/08)
4. 42, Hannah Koechl vs. Nebraska-Kearney (11/22/19)
5. 40, Olivia Nowakowski at Nebraska-Kearney (11/3/18)

Luhring has posted 1,371 career digs in 101 career matches and 342 sets played as a Bearcat. She is averaging 4.01 digs per set in her collegiate career. Luhring became the 19th Bearcat in program history to reach 1,000 career digs in Northwest's five-set win over Washburn on Sept. 27 in Bearcat Arena.
 
Luhring leads the Bearcats in digs this season with 523 (5.23 digs/set). Luhring's 5.23 digs per would rank as the fourth-best mark in school history in a single season. Only five Bearcats have ever averaged 5.00 or more digs per set in a season.

Digs Per Set (Single Season)
1. Tori Beckman (2012) – 6.02
2. Olivia Nowakowski (2017) – 5.54
3. Paige Spangenberg (2008) – 5.45
4. Paige Spangenberg (2009) – 5.19
5. Paige Spangenberg (2010) – 5.00
 
Luhring became only the 16th Bearcat to reach 500 or more digs in a season. Luhring has been credited with 523 digs this season entering the MIAA Tournament.
 
Northwest Season Digs
1. Tori Beckman (2012) – 716
2. Paige Spangenberg (2009) – 701
3. Paige Spangenberg (2008) – 654
4. Olivia Nowakowski (2017) – 643
5. Jill Quast (1997) – 618
6. Paige Spangenberg (2007) – 593
7. Hannah Koechl (2021) – 580
8. Tori Beckman (2011) – 571
9. Paige Spangenberg (2010) – 550
10. Stacy Hoelscher (1989) – 544
11. Jill Quast (2000) – 543
12. Olivia Nowakowski (2016) – 540
13. Kyah Luhring (2024) – 523
14. Terri Palmer (1989) – 511
15. Sarah Trowbridge (2006) – 509
16. Olivia Nowakowski (2018) – 503
 
Luhring has reached double figures in digs in 25 straight matches. Luhring has notched 20-plus digs 25 times in her career and 20 times this season. Luhring has surpassed 30 digs in a match five times as a Bearcat. Luhring has gained 30 or more digs in three matches this year (54 vs. Missouri Western; 38 vs. Nebraska-Kearney; 31 at Nebraska-Kearney).
 
Kristen Ford and Luhring have each surpassed the 1,000-dig mark in their Bearcat careers this season. Ford and Luhring are among 19 Bearcats to have reached 1,000 career digs in a Northwest uniform. Ford eclipsed the 1,000-career dig mark at the Augustana Classic.
 
Ford has posted 1,260 career digs in 116 matches as a Bearcat. Ford is averaging 2.96 digs per set in 425 career sets. Ford leads the team in service aces (21).
 
Northwest's 1,000-Dig Club
1. Paige Spangenberg (2007-10)   2,489
2. Jill Quast (1997-00)                    1,924
3. Olivia Nowakowski (2015-18)     1,763
4. Jennifer Pittrich (1993-96)          1,494
5. Tori Beckman (2010-12)             1,488
6. Megan Danek (1999-02)            1,458
7. Sarah Trowbridge (2003-06)      1,401
8. Kyah Luhring (2021-pres.)          1,371
9. Maddy Bruder (2015-18)            1,306
10. Heather Potts (1993-96)           1,291
11. Kristen Ford (2021-pres.)         1,260
12. Jennifer Waldron (1995-97)      1,239
13. Becky Brown (1990-93)            1,224
14. Bailey Vance (2011-14)            1,178
15. Suzi Fabian (1994-97)              1,170
16. Terri Palmer (1988-90)             1,169
17. Hannah Koechl (2019-21)        1,050
18. Heidi Yurka (1991-93)              1,027
      Miranda Foster (2013-16)         1,027
 
Sophomore setter Ella Caffery leads the team with 774 assists (7.74 assists/set). Caffery ranks second on the squad in blocks (54). Caffery collected a career-high 58 assists in a five-set win over Missouri Western (Oct. 8). Caffery has produced seven double-doubles this season and 16 in her career. She has four 40-plus assist efforts this season.
 
Double-Doubles – Career (Season)
Payton Kirchhoefer      22 (3)
Ella Caffery                  16 (7)
Olivia Dir                      11 (6)
Natalie Laiolo               9 (5)
Abby Brunssen            1 (1)
 
Senior Payton Kirchhoefer ranks second on the team with 255 kills (2.80 kills/set) in 25 matches this season. She is hitting .178 in 91 sets played. Kirchhoefer has reached double figures in kills in 13 matches this season. Kirchhoefer posted a season-high 21 kills and hit .341 in a five-set win over No. 24-ranked Washburn (Sept. 28). Kirchhoefer has recorded seven career 20-plus kill matches.
 
Through 108 career matches, Kirchhoefer has put up 1,258 kills, 934 digs, 162 blocks with 22 double-doubles. Kirchhoefer ranks No. 10 in school history with 1,240 kills.
 
Northwest Career Kills
1. Diann Davis (1994-97) – 1,740
2. Abby Sunderman (1997-00) – 1,715
    Jill Quast (1997-00) – 1,715
4. Maddy Bruder (2015-18) – 1,654
5. MacKenzie Heston (2003-06) – 1,638
6. Nancy Pfeifler (1985-88) – 1,321
    Sarah Trowbridge (2003-06) – 1,321
8. Mary Beth Bishop (1981-84) – 1,299
9. Sara Falcone (2007-10) – 1,297
10. Payton Kirchhoefer (2021-pr.) – 1,258
 
Senior Abby Brunssen has collected a team-best 303 kills (3.09 kills/set) and 104 blocks (1.06 blocks/set) this season. She has accumulated 19 double-figure kill totals this season. Earlier this year, set a career-high with 15 blocks (14 block assists) in a 3-1 win at Upper Iowa (Sept. 20). Brunssen also garnered her first career double-double with 11 kills and 15 blocks against the Peacocks. Brunssen set a career-high with 25 kills (.440) and five blocks in a five-set win over No. 24-ranked Washburn. Brunssen followed it up with 18 kills and four blocks against Emporia State.
 
Brunssen ranks No. 9 all-time in total blocks in Bearcat history. Brunssen has posted 372 career blocks in 110 matches (381 career sets). Brunssen ranks No. 19 among active career leaders in NCAA Div. II with 372 blocks.
 
Northwest Career Blocks
1. 748, Diann Davis (1994-97)
2. 487, Jill Quast (1997-00)
3. 474, Abby Sunderman (1997-00)
4. 416, Jill Tallman (1983-84)
5. 410, Susie Thomas (1983-86)
6. 394, Sara Falcone (2007-10)
7. 385, MacKenzie Heston (2003-06)
8. 372, Abby Brunssen (2021-pres.)
9. 353, Angi Kidwell (1980-82)
10. 341, Amber Ryan (2007-10)
 
Brunssen ranks No. 7 in the MIAA in points scored per set (3.69). She ranks No. 11 in the MIAA in kills per set (3.09) and No. 6 in blocks per set (1.06). Brunssen ranks No. 12 in the MIAA in hitting percentage (.301).
 
Junior Kasidy Mohwinkle ranks third on the team with 248 kills (2.48 kills/set). Mohwinkle has 13 double-figure kill efforts this season. She tied a season-high with 14 kills against Missouri Western (Oct. 8). She secured 14 kills (.300 hitting percentage) in a 3-1 win over Florida Tech (Sept. 13). Mohwinkle added 13 kills and hit .333 in a five-set win over No. 24-ranked Washburn (Sept. 27). In the season opener with Northern State (Sept. 5), Mohwinkle hit .444 with 13 kills. She has hit .300 or better in 10 matches this season.
 
Junior Kate Frakes landed a career-best 14 kills in a 3-0 sweep at Newman (Oct. 18). Frakes's previous career-high of 12 kills came as a freshman vs. Fort Hays State in her first collegiate match on Oct. 1, 2022. Frakes has posted 103 kills and has hit .272 in 72 sets of action this season. She ranks tied for third on the team with 12 service aces.
 
The Bearcats recorded 19 team blocks in a 3-1 win at Upper Iowa (Sept. 20), which ranks as the fourth-highest single-match total in program history. The 19 blocks at Upper Iowa ranks tied for the third-highest single-match total in a four-set match this season among NCAA Div. II programs.
 
Northwest posted nine wins to rank as the 10^th-best number of league wins in program history.
 
Northwest's MIAA Wins – Single Season
1. 17 – 2021
    17 – 2022
3. 14 – 2018
4. 13 – 2019
5. 11 – 2017
6. 10 – 1999
    10 – 2010
    10 – 2016
    10 – 2023
10. 9 - 2024
 
Head coach Amy Woerth has compiled an overall mark of 215-147 and has taken over as the program's all-time winningest coach. Woerth captured her 200th career win in a 3-0 victory at home vs. Fort Hays State to close out the 2023 regular season. Woerth moved past Sarah Pelster, who had collected a mark of 199-226 from 1991 to 2002. Woerth captured her second MIAA Coach of the Year award in 2022. Woerth first earned MIAA Coach of the Year honors in 2018 and landed the award again in 2022 after guiding the Bearcats to the first MIAA regular season crown in program history. Woerth has led the Bearcats to five 20-win seasons in her tenure. 

Northwest Volleyball Coaching Victories
1. Amy Woerth (2012-current) - 215
2. Sarah Pelster (1991-2002) - 199
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) - .594 (215-147)
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 added assistant coach Nick Sepulveda in the offseason after former assistant coach Jacquie Cason accepted the head women's volleyball coaching job at Missouri S&T in Rolla, Mo.
 
For the 11th straight year and 18th time overall, the Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team has been honored as a recipient of AVCA Team Academic Award sponsored by INTENT. 
 
The Bearcat volleyball team recorded a 3.87 cumulative team grade point average during the 2023-24 season. Northwest produced a 3.82 team GPA in the fall and a 3.92 team GPA in the spring. Northwest is one of 147 NCAA Division II schools to gain the AVCA Team Academic Award this year. Northwest is one of 31 NCAA Div. II schools to have captured the award in each of the past 11 seasons. Northwest is among 17 programs to have been a recipient of the AVCA Team Award 18 times or more and one of two MIAA schools (Emporia State) with 18 or AVCA Team Academic Awards.
 
For the sixth time in program history, Northwest also gained the AVCA Team Academic Honor Roll Award. The additional distinction of Team Academic Honor Roll celebrates programs in the top 20% of GPAs for their division. Northwest has gained the Team Academic Honor Roll in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024.