Northwest Missouri State continued its hot play as the Bearcats dispatched of Missouri Southern 3-0 Saturday night in MIAA volleyball action.

The Bearcats not only swept a struggling Missouri Southern team, but beat the visiting Lions handily in three sets 25-16, 25-18, 25-18. Northwest saw its record improve to 7-4 overall and 3-0 in the MIAA for the first time in over 15 years as the Lions stay winless at 0-10 and 0-2 in league play.

Northwest used a solid combination of offense and defense hitting .316 as a team. It was the first time all season the Bearcats have hit over the .300 mark as a team.

Sophomore Brooke Bartosh continued her hot start to the 2012 campaign, leading the way with 14 kills and an amazing .476 hitting percentage. Bartosh has finished with double figure kills in six of her last seven matches helping Northwest go 5-2 over that span.

Abby Graves also finished with double figure kills adding 12 and a .550 hitting percentage.

Dallas Gardner continued to pace the offense for Northwest with 26 assists.

The Bearcats neared the .400 mark in sets two and three as they ran past the Lions in set one 25-16. Northwest would close out the match 25-18, 25-18 to stay perfect in league play.

Northwest continues its home stand as they host Fort Hays State Wednesday. Tipoff from Bearcat Arena is set for 7 p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —