TOPEKA, Kan. --- Washburn volleyball closed the home portion of its schedule on Saturday afternoon as it hosted a triangular with Fort Hays State and Oklahoma Baptist. The Ichabods' record climbed 17-10 (7-7 MIAA) as they swept conference foe Fort Hays State, 3-0, before holding off OBU for 3-1 win in non-conference action.

Washburn 3, Fort Hays State 0
Washburn hit .215 for the match with 43 kills on 120 attempts and 16 errors. Makayla Maxwell had a match-high 13 kills and four blocks. Genna Berg contributed with seven kills while Taylor Selk tallied six. Allison Sadler dished out 33 assists. Faith Rottinghaus and Shayla Conner each finished with double-figure digs as Rottinghaus had 13 with Conner collecting 11.

The Ichabods controlled the match early as it gained an early lead and never trailed during a 25-19 first set. Berg and Maxwell led the way during the opening set as they each tallied four kills.

The middle frame was the most contested as it featured 11 lead changes and 18 ties. With the score tied, 20-20, Fort Hays State (10-18, 2-11 MIAA) threatened to level the match as a 4-1 run setup setpoint. Washburn slammed the door on FHSU as it rattled off five straight taking the set 26-24.

After trailing for most of the third set, Washburn began imposing its will on the Tiger defense. The Ichabods started by erasing a five-point deficit, 14-9, as they strung together eight unanswered points to take a 17-14 lead. A pair of FHSU kills briefly narrowed the margin to 17-16, but another extended run from the Ichabods opened the gap to 23-16 before securing the victory with a 25-17 set win.

Washburn 3, Oklahoma Baptist 1
A slow start in the finale saw the Ichabods fall behind and trail for much of the first set before recovering with a 5-0 run late to take a 19-18 lead. OBU (15-12) threatened to twice to regain the lead as it leveled the score at 19 and 20 but the effort was not enough as the Ichabods forged ahead to win the set 25-23.

Washburn grabbed a lead early into the second but was unable to open up a margin greater than two as the Bison seemed to keep step. With Washburn leading 13-12 midway through the frame, Oklahoma Baptist used a 3-1 spurt to give itself a slim 15-14 advantage. The margin however was quickly erased as WU benefitted by a pair of Bison attack errors to reclaim a lead at 16-15. Washburn again unable to create much breathing room as it headed down the stretch until a 5-2 run secured a 25-22 victory for the Ichabods.

Trailing 4-1 to start the third, Washburn rallied back with a seven straight to lead 8-4. The advantage soon disappered as the Bison responded with 5-0 run to lead 9-8. Midway through the sides traded long runs and possession of the board as six straight from OBU gave itself an 18-17 lead before a 4-0 spurt from Washburn made it 21-18. The set was eventually awarded to OBU,26-24, as it closed with 6-2 run.

Washburn trailed late into the fourth as a 6-2 run gave Oklahoma Baptist a 22-20 lead. Berg then tied the match at 22 with back-to-back kills before Allison Maxwell followed suit and gave the Ichabods their final lead of the day en route to a 25-23 set win.

Allison Sadler finished with 29 assists while Shayla Conner distributed 22. 

The Ichabods return action next weekend with a trip to Central Missouri on Friday before trekking to Lindenwood on Saturday.