EDMOND, Okla. – Early momentum wasn't enough for No. 14 Washburn Volleyball as it fell in its regular season finale to No. 15 Central Oklahoma, 3-2 (18-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-19, 26-24) on Saturday, Nov. 14.
The five-set thriller saw two Ichabods reach double-digits in kills and two post double-doubles, as Washburn slipped to fourth in the conference standings. Nebraska-Kearney and Central Missouri are now one-half game ahead of the Ichabods and close the season on Saturday evening. Central Oklahoma claims the MIAA regular season title outright.
WU used a 7-1 scoring burst midway through the first set to pull away, going on the rally from 12-9 to 19-11. UCO climbed back to within five (22-17) but the early advantage paid off as Washburn won, 25-19.
The Ichabods rolled out to an 8-3 lead early in the second set, holding another early advantage that paid off laid. Leading 15-8 soon after, Washburn saw the Bronchos close the game to 17-15 before kills from
Korie Thompson and
Sarah Vicory moved the lead back to four (19-15). UCO continued to charge, but Washburn held on for a 25-23 set win headed into intermission.
Tied at 4-4 in the third, WU allowed a 10-0 run (the largest from an Ichabod opponent this season) that gave the Bronchos a 14-4 lead. The Ichabods did not lie down, however, and clawed back into a two-point game (17-15). The comeback couldn't be completed, however, as UCO won 25-18 to put the match at 2-1 in Washburn's favor.
A close fourth set early on, a 5-1 run by UCO at 13-11 put things out of reach for Washburn as the Bronchos tied the match, 2-all, thanks to a 25-19 set four victory.
In a race to 15, win-by-two fifth set, things were intense until UCO sealed the match with a 26-24 win. Facing match-point, down 14-11, Washburn ran off four straight kills from
Leanna Willer to turn the table and have a match-point of its own, up 15-14. Neither team would bend, however, as both teams had several chances to clinch the match only to see the other squad re-tie it at 16 through 24. WU had six match-point opportunities before UCO, who had four chances prior to 24-all, took the match with two straight.
Willer had 20 kills and 16 digs for a double-double while
Liz Powell added 19 digs and 31 assists.
Korie Thompson just missed a double-double, finishing with 16 digs and nine kills.
Sarah Vicory hit .394 to lead the Ichabods with a 14-kills effort, adding seven blocks (one solo).
Alyssa Carney had a career-high 43 digs, tied for third most all-time in Washburn's history for a single-match performance. It was the second most digs in WU's history for a five-set match. Carey was another near-miss for a double-double as she added nine assists.
MIAA Tournament seedings will be announced Saturday evening after all regular season matches are completed.
