TOPEKA, Kan. -- Four Ichabods finished with double-digit kills as No. 4 Washburn defeated No. 9 Central Missouri in Lee Arena Friday evening. The Ichabods are now 16-2 (8-2 MIAA) while the Jennies fall to 13-6 (7-3) MIAA. The victory also gives the Ichabods sole possession of second-place in the conference standings.

Central Missouri jumped out to a quick 4-0 advantage to start the match and led until the Ichabods tied the match at 7-7 on a kill from Kelsey Gordon. The Jennies answered with a 5-1 scoring run to go up 12-8 and later put together another three point burst to extend their lead to 16-10. Washburn scored the next point on a UCM error and then had two-straight service aces from Faith Rottinghaus to get within two points (16-14). Central Missouri held on to its lead until Washburn scored five in a row to go in front 20-19, thanks to three Ichabod kills and two UCM errors. Central Missouri had a one point lead at 21-20 and 22-21 before Allison Maxwell and Erica Montgomery helped the Ichabods win the final four points in the 25-22 set victory. Maxwell and Montgomery each recorded a kill and then had two assisted blocks alongside each other in the winning effort.

The Jennies jumped out to another early lead in the second set, scoring the first three points and then leading 10-4. Trailing 16-9, the Ichabods went on a six point tear to cut the deficit to one point. The Jennies won three of the next four points to hold on to a 20-17 lead when Genna Berg helped the Ichabods with three-straight points to tie the set with a kill and back-to-back aces. The teams exchanged points, but Washburn was unable to complete the comeback as Central Missouri won four of the final five points to win 27-25 and tie the match at 1-1.

For the first time in the match, Washburn scored the opening points of a set and rolled to a 5-0 start and never trailed. The Ichabods led by nine at 22-13 when the Jennies went on a 5-1 run, but the Ichabods stayed strong and won 25-19 on a kill from Montgomery.

Yet again, Central Missouri grabbed an early led going up 5-1 in the fourth set. With the Jennies leading 9-5, the teams took turns scoring as the Ichabods continued to trail by three or four points. Maxwell sparked a 7-1 scoring rally that put the Ichabods on top 16-14. The Jennies battled back and tied the set at 18, 19, 20, and 22 when Maxwell again broke the tie with a timely kill and Gordon had a big block to put Washburn at set point (24-22). Berg capped off the set and match victory with her 13th kill of the night for the 25-23 final score.

Maxwell hit a sizzling .667 as she finished with a team-best 16 kills on 21 attempts with just two errors. Emma Palasak registered a career-best 12 kills. Berg and Sadler each added another double-double to their season stat lines as Berg had 13 kills with 12 digs and Sadler dished out 43 assists and 19 digs. Montgomery rounded out the double-figure scorers with 11 kills. Rottinghaus led the team with 26 digs and had two service aces. Sydney Pullen and Berg also landed two service aces apiece.

Washburn wraps up its week against No. 14 Northwest Missouri tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 19). First serve in Lee Arena is set for 3 p.m.