JOPLIN, Mo. - The Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team recorded a 3-1 road win over the Missouri Southern Lions. 

Northwest snapped a three-match losing skid and pulled to within one game of a tie for seventh place in the MIAA standings. The Bearcats won by set scores of 29-27, 25-21, 22-25 and 25-21.

Northwest recorded 61 kills, led by a .381 hitting percentage in the opening set. This victory marked Northwest's 13th consecutive win over MSSU in Joplin, Mo., underscoring its dominance in this matchup.

Northwest Missouri State began the first set with a strong offensive performance, quickly establishing a presence through a series of successful plays. Kasidy Mohwinkle was instrumental, contributing multiple kills as Northwest Missouri State built an early lead. Key assists from Ella Caffery helped maintain the momentum, as the visiting team continued to press their advantage.

Despite a resilient effort from the Lions, who managed to tie the game at several critical moments, Northwest Missouri State persisted. Abby Bulthuis and Gabrielle Gartner each delivered decisive points in the later stages. The set concluded with a kill by Bulthuis, securing the set for Northwest Missouri State at 29-27. This match marked Abby Bulthuis's 13th career double-figure kill match.

Northwest Missouri State took control early in the second set, leveraging a series of effective plays to establish a lead. Gabrielle Gartner initiated the scoring with a kill, assisted by Ella Caffery, and was quickly followed by a kill from Abby Bulthuis, maintaining momentum. The team capitalized on the Lions' errors to extend their advantage to 10-7.

Midway through the set, Northwest Missouri State continued to press forward, with key contributions from Kasidy Mohwinkle and Abby Bulthuis, each adding crucial points. As the set progressed, momentum remained with the visitors as they capitalized on errors from MSSU to sustain their lead.

Closing the set, Northwest Missouri State maintained their composure, securing the final points with a kill by Mohwinkle and benefiting from a service error by MSSU. The set concluded with Northwest Missouri State winning 25-21, maintaining its advantage in the match.

In the third set, Northwest Missouri State initiated play with a strong opening surge, moving to a 6-0 lead, highlighted by Gabrielle Gartner's kills, assisted by Ella Caffery and Karsen VanScoy. The momentum continued as the team extended its advantage to 10-3, aided by a service ace from Kasidy Mohwinkle.

The Lions responded with a series of points, closing the gap to 13-13 with consistent attacks, including a service ace and successful kills. Despite a brief Northwest Missouri State rally to tie the score at 16-16, MSSU took control, breaking away to a 21-18 lead.

Northwest Missouri State managed to narrow the deficit to 24-22, with Kate Frakes contributing key plays, but MSSU sealed the set at 25-22.

Northwest Missouri State entered the fourth set with determination, quickly gaining a point from a kill by Gabrielle Gartner, assisted by Ella Caffery. Kasidy Mohwinkle contributed significantly, with multiple kills that kept the score tight. Despite some errors, Northwest Missouri State's consistent offensive efforts, including key plays from Abby Bulthuis, helped them remain competitive against the Lions, who capitalized on their own scoring opportunities to keep the frame balanced.

Midway through, Northwest Missouri State regrouped and executed a series of successful plays. Caffery's setting facilitated crucial kills by Mohwinkle and Frakes, allowing Northwest to edge ahead. Kasidy Mohwinkle's back-to-back points and a service ace from Karsen VanScoy built momentum, leading to a pivotal lead over MSSU.

In the closing moments, Northwest Missouri State maintained their composure, with Gabrielle Gartner delivering a decisive kill to bring the team to match point. Kate Frakes sealed the set and match with a final kill, concluding the set 25-21 in favor of Northwest Missouri State.

Kasidy Mohwinkle led the offensive effort with 18 kills, contributing to her total of 19.5 points. Her performance included her 13th double-figure kill total, along with a double-double, marking her fifth double-double in her collegiate career. Abby Bulthuis followed closely with a team-high 22.5 points, recording 20 kills and 16 digs, achieving her second career double-double. It was the third time this season Bulthuis has posted 14 or more kills in a match. Ella Caffery facilitated the attack with 53 assists, her third 50-plus assist match of the season, and maintained a perfect hitting percentage with two kills on two attempts. Karsen VanScoy was active defensively, collecting 17 digs to aid the team's efforts. Northwest had 79 digs in total, marking their second-highest match total this year.

Bulthuis is the first Bearcat to reach 20 kills in a match this season. The last time a Bearcat reached 20 kills in a match came when Abby Brunssen (25) and Payton Kirchhoefer (21) performed the feat against Washburn on Sept. 27, 2024.

Looking ahead, the Northwest Mo. St. volleyball team will face Central Missouri on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. The matchup will take place in Warrensburg, Missouri.