The Northwest Missouri State volleyball team dropped a tough five-set match against Fort Hays State Saturday afternoon in Hays, Kan.

The loss drops the Bearcats to 15-10 this season and 8-7 against conference opponents, while the Tigers improve to 19-12 overall and 8-8 in the MIAA.

Freshman Maddy Bruder led Northwest with 14 kills and added 13 digs and two block assists on defense, while Sofia Schleppenbach picked up seven block assists to go along with 11 kills, hitting .308 for the match.

Down a set and after a Fort Hays block, Northwest trailed 20-18 late in the second set. A Tiger service error returned serve to the Bearcats. Two straight blocks from Sofia Schleppenbach and Jackie Becker put the Bearcats in front 21-20. Schleppenbach then added a kill on a pass from Darcy Sunderman before Maddy Bruder extended the lead on a pass from Jordan Trimble. On the following point, Trimble found Becker to give Northwest set point. Bruder finished things off with a kill two points later, giving the Bearcats the second set, 25-20.

Northwest Missouri State will play three matches in five days to close out the regular season. First up, Northwest will make the short drive to St. Joseph, Mo. to face off against Missouri Western on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.

— Northwest Athletics —