Northwest volleyball to make first NCAA tournament appearance

MARYVILLE, Mo.—Northwest Missouri State (15-14) will be making its first NCAA Division II volleyball tournament appearance in program history. The Bearcats are seeded seventh in the South Central Regional and will face second-seeded Washburn (30-2) at 2:30 p.m. Thursday in Warrensburg, Mo.

The Bearcats and the Lady Blues split their regular-season series. Washburn swept the Bearcats in Topeka back on Sept. 14. Northwest upset then-No.2 Washburn in a five-set thriller Oct. 19 in Maryville.

Central Missouri earned the top seed and will host the three-day, eight-team regional. If the Bearcats move on they will face the winner of third-seeded Truman and sixth-seeded Abilene Christian Friday. Northwest lost to Truman in both meetings this season and was defeated by Abilene in four sets back in September.

It will be Northwest’s fourth postseason appearance all-time. The Bearcats qualified for the AIAW Division II tournament from 1979-81. The AIAW was a separate governing body from the NCAA in the 1970s and 80s for women’s athletics.

Ticket Information:

 Tickets will go on sale immediately. To reserve tickets, call (660) 543-4063. All-session ticket prices are: $20 for adults and $8 for fans ages three to college with a student ID. Single-session ticket prices are: $8 for adults and $3 for students. For more information, visit www.ucmo.edu/athletics