TOPEKA, Kan. – Washburn Volleyball won its 20th game of the season on Saturday, Oct. 17, defeating Missouri Western, 3-1 (16-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-17) at Lee Arena.
The 15th-ranked Ichabods (20-2, 8-2 MIAA) stumbled out of the gate, falling behind 9-2 early in the second set after allowing a six-point rally from the Griffons (15-5, 7-2 MIAA). Washburn climbed back to within four (14-10) to keep things close, but couldn't complete the comeback as MWSU pulled away for a second time in the set to win it, 25-16.
It was Washburn who built a lead early in the second set, jumping out a 9-4 lead before the Griffons responded to tie it, 13-13. A 4-1 burst for Washburn provided breathing room for the Ichabods at 18-14, and though MWSU recovered for a second time to draw within on (20-19), a kill from
Leanna Willer started a 5-1 run to end the set, 25-20.
Washburn never trailed in the third set, taking 3-0 lead to open the frame, and allowing MWSU within one just four more times the rest of the way. Leading 11-10, a block assist from
Sarah Vicory and
Korie Thompson was the first point in a 4-1 run for Washburn that made it 14-11. The Ichabods stretched the lead to eight (18-13) soon after and never looked back, rolling towards a 25-17 set three win to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
Looking to put the match away, Washburn fell behind in the fourth set and was forced to fight back, tying it at 10 after being down by as many as four (8-4) early on. Trailing by two (13-11) shortly after, Washburn kept things close by trading points with the Griffons until 16-15, when back-to-back kills from
Kelsey Barrick gave Washburn the lead, 17-16. MWSU tied in at next point, but three straight kills from Willer kept Washburn in control, up 20-17 late in the game. The Griffons forced a WU timeout at 22-21, but a kill from Willer and block assists by Thompson/
Carley Swan and
Taylor Selk/Swan sealed the match, 25-21.
Willer (17 kills, 10 digs) and
Liz Powell (28 assists, 15 digs) had double-doubles for the Ichabods, while
Taylor Selk reached double-digits with 13 kills.
Korie Thompson (21 digs, nine kills) and
Shayla Conner (17 assists, eight digs) just missed a double-doubles.
Alyssa Carney's 28 digs was her second-highest total of the season and paced the Ichabod defense. At the net, Swan had six blocks while Thompson, Willer and Selk each added two blocks.
Washburn is now second in the conference standings, overtaking Missouri Western with the win. Nebraska-Kearney, previously tied with Washburn at third overall, plays first-place Central Oklahoma on Saturday evening at 7 p.m.
The Ichabods return to action next Friday, Oct. 23, hosting Pittsburg State at 7 p.m., inside Lee Arena.
