The Northwest Missouri State volleyball team fell to the No. 13 ranked Washburn Ichabods at Lee Arena in Topeka, Kan, on Tuesday evening, 3-0. The game was featured as a non-conference matchup as the two teams will meet again in MIAA action at Bearcat Arena on Oct. 25.

The win moves Washburn to 11-3 overall while Northwest falls to 6-6. In the first set, Northwest and Washburn traded points early as neither team was able to pull away. With the score tied 17-17,Washburn pulled away, never letting the Bearcats back within two points, winning theset, 25-22.

The Ichabods built an early second set lead and never looked back, winning 25-12, and headed into the break with a 2-0 lead.

After falling behind 8-0 to begin the third set, Northwest battled back, going on a 13-8 to pull within three at 16-13. The score remained close late in the set, as the Bearcats kept the Ichabods within three at 22-19. But Washburn would score three of the next five points to win, 25-21.

Junior Abby Graves had 13 kills to lead the Bearcats. Senior Bridget Hanafin had 25 assists and added 11 digs on the evening. Defensively, junior BaileyVance had 12 digs and freshman Jackie Becker recorded eight blocks.

Up next, the Bearcats return to MIAA action with a road contest at Fort Hays State on Saturday afternoon beginning at 3 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —