FIRST SERVE … 

>> The fifth-ranked Washburn volleyball team (11-1, 3-1 MIAA) hits the road for a pair of matches this weekend at Newman (0-14, 0-5 MIAA) and Central Oklahoma (11-4, 3-2 MIAA). 
>> The Ichabods will take on the Newman Jets in Wichita, Kan., on Friday, Oct. 4 for the first time as an MIAA opponent. The match is slated to begin at 6 p.m.
>> Washburn will head to Edmond, Okla. to play Central Oklahoma the following evening at 7 p.m.

QUICK HITS … 

>> In the fifth edition of the AVCA Top-25 Poll (Sept. 30), Ichabods are ranked fifth in the nation for the second-consecutive week.

>> Washburn is currently tied for third in the MIAA standings alongside Central Missouri.

>>  Nebraska-Kearney (13-0) and Northwest Missouri (11-1) lead the way with an undefeated 4-0 conference record. 

>> Genna Berg was named the MIAA Hitter of the Week on Sept. 30.

>> An Ichabod has earned the weekly award three of the four weeks this season.

>> This will be the first MIAA meeting between Newman and Washburn in any sport ... Newman left the Heartland Conference and joined the MIAA in the summer of 2019 after former MIAA member schools Southwest Baptist and Lindenwood moved to the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).

LAST TIME OUT … 

>> Washburn claimed a 3-1 decision over Missouri Western in Lee Arena on Saturday, Sept. 28.

>> The final set scores were 25-17, 21-25, 25-16, 25-23.

>> Erica Montgomery had 22 kills, including the crucial final two to win the match.

>> Berg and Allison Sadler both achieved a double-double as Berg finished with 19 kills and 17 digs while Sadler also had 17 digs with 50 assists.

>> Kelsey Gordon had an impressive day defensively and finished with nine blocks, which tied for fifth-most in a single match in Washburn's history.

>> Both teams finished with a relatively low hitting percentage as the Ichabods hit for .208 while the Griffons finished at .140 for the match.

ICHABOD LEADERS IN THE MIAA … 

>> Washburn continues to rank in the top-five in every statistical category among MIAA teams.

>> The Ichabods lead the league in assists/set (13.11), kills/set (14.45), blocks/set (2.03), and service aces/set (1.74).

>> The team is also second in opponent hitting percentage (.120), opponent assists/set (8.89), and opponent kills/set (9.89).

>> Individually, Sadler continues to lead the conference in assists/set as she is averaging 11.24 per set.

>> Berg is second in kills/set with 3.71.

>> Taylor Antonowich's 0.42 service aces/set is third in the MIAA.

>> Gordon is second in blocks/set (0.97) and seventh in hitting percentage (.317).

>> Defensive specialist Faith Rottinghaus is third with 5.21 digs/set.

NATIONAL RANKS … 

>> Washburn volleyball has been ranked in the AVCA Top-25 Poll for the past 15-straight rankings, dating back to Sept. 17, 2018.

>> Currently, the Ichabods are ranked nationally in the top-20 in several different categories, both team and individually.

>> Washburn is ninth in the nation in kills per set with a 14.45 average.

>> The team is also 17th in opponent hitting percentage (.120).

>> Sadler's assists per set average (11.24) is the 12th-best in all of Division II and the team's overall 13.11 average is ranked 14th.

HEAD COACH CHRIS HERRON … 

>> Chris Herron is in his 18th season leading the Washburn volleyball program and holds an overall record of 515-104 and is 239-60 in MIAA matches.

>> Herron is 6-0 against Newman and 9-7 when playing Central Oklahoma.

>> He is 153-50 in away matches during his time at Washburn.

>> He has won 590 matches as a collegiate head coach (combined record between Washburn and Benedictine) and is 10 victories away from 600.

MILESTONE TRACKER … 

>> Montgomery is four block assists away from 100 in her career.

>> In 21 digs, Rottinghaus will go from 11th all-time career digs to ninth. She currently has 1,447.

>> Sadler, who currently has 1,583 career assists, needs 27 more assists to move up to 11th all-time in Washburn history.

>> Sadler is also seven kills away from hitting 100 in her career.

>> The Ichabods have won 698 matches since joining the NCAA and need just two more wins to reach 700.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION ...

Newman Jets

>> The Newman Jets struggled last season and finished with an overall record of 2-25 and went 1-11 in the Heartland Conference.

>> Their first season in the MIAA has also not gone as they had hoped and are looking for their first win at 0-14 (0-5 MIAA).

>> The Jets squared off against Pittsburg State on Oct. 1 and were not able to capture a win after taking the first two sets of the match.

>>  As a team, Newman is hitting .123 while its opponents are at a .248 attacking percentage.

>> Trinity Conley leads the squad in kills with 175.

>> Setter Reagan Roth has dished out 351 assists for an average of 7.02 assists/set.

>> Imani Jones has been a wall at the net for the Jets as she has 31 total blocks, including three solo stops.

>>  Mackenzie Anderson has recorded 203 digs this season.

>> The Ichabods lead the series 18-7 and are on an eight match winning streak.

>> Washburn is 5-0 when playing the Jets in Wichita.

>> The two teams last met in 2011 which resulted in a 3-1 Washburn victory.

Central Oklahoma Bronchos

>> The Bronchos went 27-7 (14-4) in 2018 and were picked fourth in this season's MIAA Preseason Poll.

>> Central Oklahoma is currently 11-4 (3-2 MIAA) and is coming off a five set victory against Missouri Southern.

>> As a team, the Bronchos are hitting .212 while holding their opponents to a .130 clip.

>>  UCO is led offensively by Amanda Desch, who has 119 kills and an attacking percentage of .296.

>> When Desch is not taking swings, she's helping command the offense as the setter and also leads the team with 275 assists.

>> Ericka Scholl, who also spends time as setter, has 215 assists and a team-best 18 aces.

>> Defensively, Dominique Lipari is at 332 digs (6.71 digs/set).

>> Desch is also in the action on defense and has a team-high 24 total blocks (21 assists, three solo).

>> Head coach Edgar Miraku is in his eighth season leading the Bronchos and has a career record of 193-59.

>> Washburn leads the all-time series, 12-9, and won the last meeting 3-1.