HAYS, Kan. – The eighth-ranked Ichabods finished strong in a back and forth third set to sweep Fort Hays State, 25-20, 25-12, 28-26 Tuesday night. Washburn improved to 11-1 and 3-1 in the MIAA as Chris Herron coached his 450th match with Washburn.
 
The Ichabods will return home to Schendel Court in Lee Arena and host Lindenwood Friday at 7 p.m. in what will start a four-match home stand.
 
Leanna Willer had a double-double with 17 kills and 13 digs. She hit .378 with three errors in 37 attempts and had three block assists as Washburn blocked 11 Tiger attacks. Carley Swan led Washburn with six blocks and Sarah Vicory and Marissa Cox had four each. Cox added 15 kills and a .351 attack percentage.
 
Natalie Bates had a double-double with 37 assists and 11 digs and Alyssa Carney led the defense with 18 digs. Korie Thompson added 15.
 
The Ichabods scored five of the last six points to win the opening set. Fort Hays State (6-6, 1-3 MIAA) hit negative in the second set but stayed close through the first half of the set. The Ichabods led just 14-12 before going on an 11-0 run to finish the set. Willer had three straight kills during that run.
 
Washburn used an 8-0 run to go up 14-8 in the third set but the Tigers responded by scoring 15 of the next 20 points to take a 23-19 lead. Willer responded with a kill that started a 5-0 run that gave Washburn match point at 24-23. The two teams traded points after that and were tied three times before Washburn scored points on a kill from Vicory and then a block from her and Willer that clinched the match.
 
There were 11 total ties and four lead changes in the third set.
 
Washburn hit .237 as a team and Fort Hays State had a .056 attack percentage. Washburn led in kills, 48-33 and in digs, 71-61. Mallory Flagor led the Tigers with 10 kills.