Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern volleyball team fought back and forced a fifth and deciding set, but fell to visiting Northwest Missouri, three sets to two tonight inside Young Gym. Individual set scores were 11-25, 25-23, 13-25, 25-22 and 12-15. 

Southern (2-20, 1-10 MIAA) was led offensively by Payton Graves as the senior had 18 kills and hit .300. Callie Whestone had 16 kills and hit .310, while Bradyn Wall dished out 43 assists and added nine digs. Abby Finder had 11 digs, while Candace Tracy and Katie Wiele had nine digs each. 

Northwest Missouri (14-7, 7-4 MIAA) was led by Miranda Foster with 11 kills, while Sarah Dannetella had 10 kills and hit .833, while dishing out 42 assists and recording five digs. 

Set one saw one tie and one lead change as the Bearcats sailed to the win. In set two, the Lions scored ten of the final 13 points to win 25-23. In set three, there were two lead changes and one tie, but again the Bearcats got the easy win. In set four, the Lions led from start to finish to force the fifth set. 

In the finale, the Lions led 8-6 at the turn, but Northwest scored nine of the final 13 points to take the set and match. 

The Lions will be back in action on Oct. 30 when Southern plays host to Fort Hays State for the annual Pink Night game.