TOEPKA, Kan. — No. 11 Washburn volleyball bounced back on Saturday in its season finale, registering a 3-0, 25-19, 25-16, 25-12 victory over Pittsburg State (18-13, 7-11 MIAA). The result pushes the Ichabod season total to 27-3, marking the best record by the program since 2013 when it finished 31-6.

Washburn, 15-3 in the MIAA, now prepares for next week's conference postseason tournament. While the Ichabods have already secured a berth, their seeding and opponent are yet to be determined due to a log jam in the standings. Additionally, a potential for Washburn's sixth MIAA title are also up for grabs pending the outcome of matches between Nebraska-Kearney/Northwest Missouri and Central Oklahoma/Emporia State.

After a tic-tac opening sequence in game one, the Washburn attack feasted on kills from Kelsey Gordon and Genna Berg as part of a 6-0 run to blaze out to a 9-3 lead. Gordon ended the day tying a career-best with 12 kills, while Berg followed with seven.

The Gorillas fought back twice narrowing the margin to three, but was unable to pull any closer. Leading 15-12, Washburn pushed its advantage to seven with a 4-0 spurt as Berg and Gordon added kills for the cause. Another 4-0 run late helped the Ichabods put the set out of reach with a pair of kills from Montgomery, before notching the final point claim the frame, 25-19.

After five ties opened play in the second set, the Ichabods went on a 6-1 run to move out to a 13-9 advantage. From there, despite hitting .158 in the frame, Washburn never looked back as Gordon added to the cause with three kills during a 7-1 run, opening the advantage to 20-11. PSU tried to rally late, ringing up three-straight points, but it was not enough as Washburn slammed the door as it took the set 25-16.

Behind a match-high .321 hitting, Washburn dominated in the third rolling out to an 11-3 lead early. During the run, the Ichabods strung together six unanswered including back-to-back aces from Katie Heeter. 

Pittsburg State however did not go down quietly as it trimmed the gap to four thanks in part to a 6-2 rally. 

Leading 13-9, Washburn punted the match out of reach as it surged late behind an 9-0 run. Gordon again shouldered the load, accounting for four kills, while a kill from Berg and Pitt State errors made up the balance that saw the Ichabods take a 22-9 lead.

Back-to-back points for the Gorillas cut the margin in half late, but it was not enough as Sydney Fitzgibbons and Emma Palasak accounted for two of WU's final three points to complete the sweep.

Collectively, Washburn out Pitt State, .255 to .042, while overwhelming the Gorillas in kills, 40 to 25. PSU out blocked WU, 4-1, but it was the Ichabods who held advantages in digs, 43-36, and aces 7-5.

Shayla Conner directed the attack with 32 assists. Faith Rottinghaus registered 10 digs, while Taylor Antonowich followed with seven.