TOPEKA, Kan. – The fifth-ranked Ichabods dropped the final three sets Saturday night in Lee Arena, including a fifth one that went to 24-22, as they fell 3-2 (20-25, 24-26, 26-24, 25-18, 24-22) to Missouri Western.
 
Washburn dropped to 18-3 overall and 10-3 in the MIAA and fell out of a tie for first place in the conference. The Bods will begin a five-match road trip Friday at 7 p.m. at Lindenwood. The Griffons improved to 17-4 and 11-2 in the MIAA to remain tied for first with two other teams.
 
Washburn fought off seven match points against the Griffons in the fifth set, the first at 14-13, before Missouri Western finally pulled away. The 46 total points played in the fifth set is a new school record. Washburn lost a fifth set, 22-20 in 2010 at Northwest Missouri to set the previous record.
 
Marissa Cox led the Ichabods with 21 kills and Leanna Willer added a double-double with 15 kills and 13 digs. Sarah Vicory had 12 kills. Alyssa Carney had 22 digs and Korie Thompson added 15. Natalie Bates had 35 assists and Liz Powell had 18. Cox blocked six Griffon attacks.
 
Washburn led 13-11 in the fifth set before the Griffons scored three straight to get to match point at 14-13. A kill from Paige Regnier kept Washburn alive but the Ichabods were never able to get ahead until a Cox kill tied the set at 18-18 and a MWSU error gave the Bods their only match point at 19-18. The Griffons turned that around and then three match points later were finally able to end the set and clinch the match.
 
Two Griffons reached double figures in kills with Erica Rottinghaus leading with 22 and Jessie Thorup getting 20.  Amanda Boender blocked 12 Washburn shots as part of the Griffons' 18 team blocks.
 
Washburn hit .177 as a team while the Griffons hit .197 overall. MWSU edged Washburn in kills, 73-69 and in digs, 87-79.
 
Washburn hit over .250 in the first two sets to take a 2-0 lead in the match but then hit .173 in the third set and .000 in the fourth set. The entire match featured 45 ties and 18 lead changes.