TOPEKA, Kansas – The Northwest Missouri State University volleyball squad put the finishing touches on an unblemished weekend with a 3-0 victory over Dallas Baptist at the Washburn Invitational. The Bearcats won by set scores of 25-19, 25-10, 25-23.

Northwest (4-0 overall) did not drop a set in each of its four matches against Colorado State-Pueblo, Southeastern Oklahoma State, Henderson State and Dallas Bapist.

The opening set against Dallas Baptist featured 11 ties and six lead changes before the Bearcats pulled away late for a 25-19 triumph. The set was deadlocked at 17-17 before Northwest used a 7-0 run to gain separation.

The Bearcats raced out to a commanding 9-1 lead in the second set en route to a 25-10 victory. Northwest recorded 14 kills and a .375 hitting percentage in the second stanza, while limiting Dallas Baptist to five kills and four errors (.048).

Dallas Baptist held a 4-2 lead early in the third set before a 6-0 run by Northwest gave the Bearcats an advantage it would not relinquish. Dallas Baptist pulled to within one point on six occasions in the remainder of the set but could not knot it up. Northwest held a 24-20 lead and was able to close it out, 25-23.

Senior Maddy Bruder recorded a match-high 10 kills. Sophomore Maddy Ahrens pitched in with 27 assists and 10 digs for her second double-double on the season. Senior Olivia Nowakowski tallied a match-high 16 digs to go along with five service aces.

Northwest was limited to .192 hitting percentage – its lowest total of the season. The Bearcats had hit .319 or higher in each of their previous three wins to start the 2018 season.

Northwest will head to the Rockhurst Tournament next weekend in Kansas City, Missouri. Northwest will take on William Jewel on Friday at 9 a.m., followed by Colorado Mesa at 5:30 p.m. The Bearcats will tangle two more times on Saturday against Sioux Falls at 3:30 p.m. and against tournament host Rockhurst at 7:30 p.m.

NOTES: Head coach Amy Woerth has posted 96 career wins … Northwest is 4-0 to start a season for the first time since winning its first 15 games in 2016 … Northwest has a .319 hitting percentage through its first four matches … Sofia Schleppenbach has posted a team-best 13 service aces.

— Northwest Athletics —