EMPORIA, Kan. — Emporia State swept Northwest Missouri State 3-0 on Saturday at W. L. White Auditorium. 

Emporia State (11-2, 2-0 MIAA) controlled the match with set scores of 25-19, 25-12, and 25-21. The Hornets outperformed the Bearcats in attack percentage, posting a .196 to Northwest's .016, marking a season low for Northwest.

Northwest (6-5, 0-2 MIAA) began the first set with Ella Caffery assisting Elle Heckenlively and Kasidy Mohwinkle for early kills, keeping the score tied at multiple points. Notably, this match marked Heckenlively's second double-figure kill performance this season. However, service errors and attacks from Emporia State's Nyia Anderson and Delainee Dexter allowed the home team to edge ahead slightly.

Northwest managed to stay close with contributions from Kate Frakes and Maja Noehrer, who both recorded kills to keep the score competitive. Despite these efforts, the Hornets capitalized on a series of errors and a strong service game to extend their lead.

As the set progressed, Heckenlively's consistent offensive play, which contributed to her second double-double of the season, helped narrow the gap, but Emporia State maintained their momentum with effective blocking and timely points, closing the set 25-19.

The Bearcats began the second set with momentum as Mohwinkle and Abby Bulthuis each secured early kills, contributing to a narrow lead. Caffery provided crucial assists, keeping the offensive effort steady for Northwest. However, Emporia State countered with a series of blocks and attack errors by Northwest, shifting momentum to their side, which allowed them to build a significant lead.

Despite efforts to close the gap, including key kills from Caffery and Natalie Herrington, Northwest struggled to overcome Emporia State's sustained offensive pressure. The set concluded with Emporia State capitalizing on multiple attack errors from Northwest, completing the set with a 25-12 victory, and extending their overall lead in the match.

In the third set, Northwest initially faced a challenge as Emporia built an early 6-3 lead following a series of attack errors. The Bearcats responded with a kill by Mohwinkle to close the gap. Despite a series of attack errors from both teams, Northwest managed to claw back to a 15-15 tie, highlighted by a service ace from Karsen VanScoy and a key block from Jada Smith and Gabrielle Gartner. VanScoy's performance marked her 11th consecutive double-figure dig match, showcasing her defensive consistency.

Chloee Hayes continued to contribute offensively with multiple kills, keeping the Bearcats in contention as the set progressed. However, Emporia maintained pressure, extending their lead with kills from Anderson and Brooklynn Weaver. Although Northwest narrowed the deficit to 24-21 with a kill by Hayes and capitalized on an opponent error, Emporia secured the set 25-21 with a final play, concluding the set with a block error by Smith.

Heckenlively led Northwest with 10 kills and matched that with 12 digs, contributing significantly to the team's defensive efforts. Caffery orchestrated the offense with 22 assists and supported defensively with nine digs. Hayes delivered four kills on seven attempts, achieving a .429 hitting percentage. VanScoy anchored the back row, collecting 12 digs across three sets.

Northwest will play its first home matches of the season next Friday (Fort Hays State) and Saturday (Nebraska-Kearney).