TOPEKA, Kan. --- The Washburn University volleyball team improved to 12-6 on the year and 3-3 in MIAA action on Friday evening as it blanked Pittsburg State in straight sets for a 3-0 win (25-18, 25-13, 25-19) in Lee Arena.
The Ichabods will return to action at home on Saturday when they host No. 8 Central Oklahoma.
Allison Sadler was spark plug that powered the Washburn offense as she finished with 26 assists and four aces, both were match-highs. Sadler also chipped in with 11 digs to secure her team-best sixth double-double of the season. Seven different Ichabods tallied kills on the night with
Erica Montgomery leading the way with a 10-kill performance.
Allison Maxwell and Taylor each had seven, while
Makayla Maxwell and
Genna Berg recorded six and four respectively. Sadler and
Olivia Powell added one kill.
Allison Maxwell a career-best six blocks while Berg followed with four.
Faith Rottinghaus dug up 14 attacks while 10 other Ichabods had at least two digs each.
In addition to the final score, Washburn controlled all the major aspects of the contest as it outhit Pitt State, .239 to .117. The Ichabods also edged out the Gorillas in services aces, 6-3; digs, 48-33; and kills, 36-31.
Washburn dictated the pace early sprinting out to a 4-0 run to start the match before pushing the tally to 10-6. PSU trimmed the margin to one, 10-9, with a three unanswered but the Ichabods responded by accounting for seven of the next eight points to take a 17-10 advantage. Pitt State reduced the Washburn lead late but the effort fell short as the Ichabods won the first set, 25-18.
After some early back-and-forth to began the second, Pittsburg State leveled the frame for the fourth and final time at 6-6. Washburn then blew open the doors as it took a commanding 20-9 advantage with a 14-3 including seven unanswered before taking the set 25-13.
The Gorillas took their largest lead of the night early during the third set as they strung together four straight for a 4-1 lead. The PSU advantage however quickly evaporated as the Ichabods rattled off six straight taking a 7-4 lead and never looked as they pushed the score to 16-9 midway through the frame. With Washburn leading 21-13, the Gorillas began to rally behind a 6-2 run narrowing the advantage to 23-19. The late push however was broken up as Washburn earned the final two points to seal the sweep.
