TOPEKA, Kan. – The fourth-ranked Washburn volleyball team started the 2019 season with two shutout victories as it took down William Jewell (0-2) and Texas Woman's (1-1) in straight sets. The Ichabods (2-0) will wrap up the Washburn Invitational with two more matches in Lee Arena on Saturday (Sept. 7) as they take on Quincy at 11:30 a.m. and No. 23 Central Washington at 3:30 p.m.
 
Washburn 3, William Jewell 0

The opening set was back and forth scoring between the two teams as there were eight ties and four lead changes. Neither team led by more than two points until Allison Maxwell's kill gave the Ichabods an 18-15 advantage. Washburn continued its momentum and extended its lead as the Ichabods claimed the first set 25-18. Washburn recorded a .364 hitting percentage while holding William Jewell to .160.
 
The second set started much like the first with both teams trading points. When Washburn grabbed a 5-4 lead, the score had already been tied four times. The Ichabods put together a quick 4-0 run to extend their lead to 9-4 and William Jewell called a timeout. The Cardinals worked their way back into the match and eventually knotted the score at 12-all. After four more ties and three lead changes, Taylor Antonowich got things rolling for the Ichabods with a kill to regain the lead 17-16. Washburn allowed just one more point on its way to a 25-17 win.
 
With the score tied early on yet again to start the third set, Genna Berg broke the 3-3 tie with a kill that sparked a Washburn 6-0 scoring run. Although William Jewell chipped away at deficit, the Ichabods never relinquished their lead and held on for a 25-23 victory and the 3-0 match sweep.
 
Washburn finished the match hitting .304 to William Jewell's .204. Berg and Maxwell finished the match with 12 kills apiece. Defensively, Maxwell and Kelsey Gordon chipped in two blocks. Allison Sadler added 30 assists and had one of the Ichabods' five service aces.

Washburn 3, Texas Woman's Univ. 0

Washburn started the match on an 8-2 run, with Berg and Gordon each landing two kills during that run. Both teams struggled with errors in the middle of the set, and the Pioneers found their groove to get within one at 18-17, but a Gordon kill halted their momentum and the Ichabods went on to take set one 25-19.

The second set was a close challenge the entire time as there were 11 tie scores and five lead changes. With the score tied at 17-17, Maxwell hammered down a crucial kill to break the tie and the Ichabods benefited by two consecutive attacking errors by the Pioneers. Texas Woman's would fight back and tie the match once more at 20-20, but Washburn finished the set victory on a 5-1 run aided by three kills from Berg.

Washburn carried its energy into the third set and finished strong. The Ichabods led the entire match and held the Pioneers to a -.143 hitting percentage. Washburn won the final set 25-12 to complete the sweep.

Berg led the team again in kills, this time with 11 total. She and Gordon had three blocks at the net. Sadler notched the first double-double of the season for the Ichabods as she recorded 23 assists and had 12 digs. In the back court, Allison Rottinghaus added 15 digs.