Box Score TOPEKA, Kan. ---- The Washburn volleyball team swept Emporia State in the MIAA schedule opener with a 3-0 victory at the Schendel Court in Lee Arena.
 
With the result, the No. 18 Ichabods improve to 10-3 overall, 1-0 league play and extend their win streak to 14 matches over the Hornets (7-6, 0-1).
 
Leading the way for Washburn were seniors Sarah Vicory who finished with 12 kills and a .750 hitting percentage while Leanna Willer posted 10 kills. Also contributing was Natalie Bates who tallied her 17th double-double of her career with 21 assists and 11 digs while hitting .500.
 
During the first set, the teams traded possession of the lead to a 16-16 tie before an Emporia State service error put Washburn out front. The Ichabods capitalized on the missed hit to eventually claim the opening set 25-20.
 
Both sides again swapped went back and forth during the early stages of the middle frame until a four-point run by WU gave it an 8-4 advantage. After another point-for-point exchange ESU rattled off five straight to tie the set at 9-9. As the set progressed, the Ichabods were able to score points in bunches and pull away to seize the point with a 25-20 result.
 
After another saw-see stretch to open the final stanza, WU went on a 5-1 run to a 7-4 lead. The Hornets then rallied back to tie the frame at 7-7 with four straight points, before registering seven unanswered to make it 14-12 Emporia State. Despite trailing, the Ichabods remained composed and outscored ESU 13-5 the rest of the way to close out the night by the score of 25-19.
 
At the end, Washburn registered more kills than Emporia State, 40-32, while also edging them out in hitting percentage .160 to .151.
 
The Ichabods continue MIAA play on Friday when they travel to take on third-ranked Nebraska-Kearney at 7 p.m.