SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Maryville University Saints claimed a 3-0 victory Friday in a non-conference matchup with the Northwest Missouri State University volleyball squad at the Prairie Stars Classic.
 
Maryville won by set scores of 29-27, 25-23 and 25-21. Maryville improved to 3-5 overall. Northwest had its three-match win streak snapped as the Bearcats dipped to 6-3 on the year. Northwest is 5-2 in neutral court matches.
 
The Saints battled back from a six-point deficit to take a 29-27 opening-set win from the Bearcats. Northwest used a 7-2 run to take a 13-7 lead midway through the set. Maryville turned the tables with an 8-2 spurt to knot the set at 15-15. Maryville took its first lead of the opener at 18-17. Northwest used a timeout with Maryville holding a 19-17 advantage. Northwest drew even at 20-20 following a pair of service aces from Kasidy Mohwinkle. Northwest held off four set points against Maryville before the Saints were able to capitalize and score a 29-27 win on their fifth set point. Ellery Luhring captured 10 digs and Ella Caffery was credited with 13 assists in the first set.
 
Maryville jumped out to a 13-6 lead in the second set as the Saints gained a 25-13 victory for a 2-0 lead in the match. Northwest had 11 attack errors and managed five kills as the Bearcat hit minus-.150 in the second-set loss.
 
Northwest held a 12-11 lead in the third set before Maryville reclaimed the advantage at 13-12. Maryville turned a 17-16 lead into a 21-16 score as the Saints looked to put away the Bearcats in three. Northwest trailed 24-18 and rattled off three straight points before Maryville closed out the match, 25-21.
 
Northwest hit .044 for the match with 32 kills and 26 attack errors. Maryville hit .188 with 39 kills and only 14 errors.
 
Karsen VanScoy totaled a team-best 16 digs, Luhring notched a career-high tying 14 digs and Natalie Herrington collected four block assists to help the Northwest defensive effort.
 
Mohwinkle recorded eight kills and two service aces to account for 10 points.
 
Caffery had 24 assists, seven digs, three kills and a block assist in the loss.
 
Northwest has concluded non-conference play and will engage in MIAA action next weekend. Northwest will travel to Topeka, Kan., Friday to take on the Washburn Ichabods at 6 p.m. The Bearcats will remain on the road and head to Emporia, Kan., for a Saturday 7 p.m. encounter with the Emporia State Hornets.