Box Score | Season Stats
MARYVILLE, Mo. -- The No. 2 ranked Lady Blues were upset 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 20-25, 25-17, 22-20) by Northwest Missouri on Tuesday night at Bearcat Arena. Washburn will be back in action on Friday night in Lee Arena at 7 p.m. against Truman State in the Think Pink game. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to support breast cancer awareness.
The Bearcats (10-9, 6-5 MIAA) jumped out to an early lead in the first set and led most of the way. Washburn (21-2, 9-2 MIAA) would rally to tie the set at 18-all, but four straight points gave NWMSU a lead they wouldn't relinquish as they went on to take the opening set 25-23.
Northwest Missouri led 11-9 early on in set two, but the Lady Blues used an 8-0 run to grab the 17-11 lead. The Bearcats answered right back with seven straight points of their own to regain the lead at 18-17. Four quick points by Washburn gave the Blues a 21-18 lead and they held on for the 25-21 set win.
The third set saw the Lady Blues jump out to a quick four point advantage only to have the Bearcats rally and take a lead of their own. Washburn went back in front and led 18-16, but after tying the set at 20-20 NWMSU scored the final five points to grab a two sets to one advantage. Needing to win the fourth set to extend the match the Lady Blues jumped out early, leading by as many as eight and winning the set by the same margin, 25-17.
The fifth and deciding set was a back-and-forth battle with neither team leading by more than two points early on. The Lady Blues trailed 10-9, but scored four of the next five points to grab a 13-11 lead. Washburn had two straight match points, but was unable to close it out. The Bearcats got a shot at it with match points at 15-14 and 16-15, but WU rallied each time. The Lady Blues had four more chances to close out the match, including 20-19, but were unable to slam the door and the Bearcats rallied for three straight points to win the set 22-20 and the match 3-2.
Aubri Renshaw led Washburn with a career-high 22 kills. She added 13 digs for her second consecutive double-double and fourth of the season.
Breanna Lewis added 17 kills, while
Hillary Hughes recorded her second straight double-double and fifth of the season with 11 kills and 16 digs.
Molly Smith had a match-high 30 digs, moving her into 10th place on the MIAA's career digs list. She is currently third on Washburn's career list, 33 digs shy of second place all-time.
Amanda Guess led Washburn with 40 assists, while
Abby Wittman chipped in 21.
Amber Ryan led four Bearcats in double figure kills with 22. Laira Akin had a match-high 55 assists to go along with 11 digs. Paige Spangenberg had a team-high 25 digs for NWMSU.
