The Northwest Missouri State volleyball team dropped an MIAA contest to fourth-ranked Central Missouri on Tuesday evening at Bearcat Arena, 3-1. Northwest won the third set and took the Jennies to extra points in the second and fourth sets. The win moves UCM to 21-0 on the season and 7-0 in MIAA play. Northwest falls to 9-10 on the year, 3-4 in conference play.

After dropping the first set, 16-25, the Bearcats battled back and took UCM to the limit, forcing set point at 24-23. But three straight points by the Jennies gave them the set and a 2-0 lead. In the third set, Northwest again battledtough and forced a 19-19 tied late. The Bearcats would finish the set by taking six of the next nine points for the win, 25-22. Things were close late in the fourth set and Northwest again found itself with a set point at 24-23. But kills from UCM’s Taylor Goodness and Maddie Jones kept things from moving to a fifth set as the Jennies took the set, 26-24, and the match, 3-1.

Four Bearcats recorded double-digit kills on Tuesday night, let by 12 each from Shelby Duren and Abby Graves. Mackie Keller and Brooke Bartosh each had 11 kills on the night. Keller hit .381 with only three errors. Bridget Hanafin had 47 assists. Bailey Vance had 20 digs and added two service aces. Duren alsoreached double-digits in digs, tallying 15 defensively. Keller and Graves were each credited with two blocks.

Northwest will hit the road for a Friday match at Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

— Northwest Sports Information —