TOPEKA, Kan. – No. 7 Washburn suffered its first loss in the 2015 season on Saturday, Sept. 26, falling to Fort Hays State, 3-0 (27-25, 28-26, 27-25).
 
The Ichabods (13-1, 2-1 MIAA) battled back in from deficits in every set, and though each frame went into a win-by-two situation, Washburn was unable to remain unbeaten.
 
Tied at 14 in the first set, a 4-0 run for the Ichabods had Washburn looking to pull away, but FHSU climbed back to tie it at 22.  WU regained control and was looking at set point, up 24-23, but two straight attack errors allowed the Tigers to regain the lead and eventually take the set, 27-25.
 
In the second set, it was Washburn's turn to trail late (20-15) and rally with a four-point burst that cut the lead to on (20-19) and eventually led to the Ichabods drawing even at 23.  WU fought back to tie it three times after facing set point at 24-23, 25-24 and 26-25, but couldn't get over the hump and fell, 28-26, headed into intermission.
 
Out of the pause, another close set brought the teams to a 23-all tie, when a rotation error on the Tigers put WU in position to extend the match, up 24-23.  Fort Hays State again answered with a two-point rally, however, and WU couldn't recover, falling 28-26.
 
Leanna Willer led the team with 17 kills and 11 digs, while Sarah Vicory had 10 kills and two blocks.  Defensively, Willer joined by Alyssa Carney (20 digs), Korie Thompson (15 digs) and Liz Powell (15 digs) in double digit digs, with Powell adding 43 assists at setter.  

Taylor Selk was third on the team with nine kills for the match, followed by Thompson's eight kills.
 
The Ichabods are idle until next Friday, Oct. 2, when they travel to Bolivar, Mo., to take on Southwest Baptist at 7 p.m.