WARRENSBURG, Mo. – No. 5 Washburn fell in the MIAA Volleyball Tournament semifinal match in four sets against No. 4 Northwest Missouri on Friday evening. The Ichabods await their NCAA postseason fate as the eight teams advancing to the NCAA Central Region Tournament will be announced during the selection show on Monday, Nov. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
 
Washburn lost by the set scores of 26-28, 18-25, 25-18, 20-25 and now holds a record of 26-5 on the season.
 
The opening set was wire-to-wire with 14 tie scores and six lead changes. Washburn pulled within one point at 17-16 when Northwest Missouri (26-4) extended its lead with a 5-0 scoring run. A kill from Sydney Fitzgibbons ignited an 8-1 scoring tear that included seven kills to put Washburn in front, 24-23. The Bearcats responded with back-to-back points when the Ichabods knotted up the score at 25 and 26. The Ichabods' late rally fell just short, though, as Northwest Missouri won the final two points to take the opening set.
 
It was back and forth scoring again to start the second frame until the Bearcats took a 10-6 advantage after a 6-1 run and led for the remainder of the set. Washburn spoiled game point for Northwest Missouri three times, but an Ichabod attacking error gave the Bearcats the 2-0 edge in the match.
 
The Ichabods jumped out to a 3-0 lead to start the third game. The Bearcats leveled the score at four and then five when Genna Berg hammered down a kill to start a 4-0 run and Washburn never looked back, leading for the rest of the set. The Ichabods won the final four points in a row and it was capped off by a kill from Allison Sadler.
 
Jalyn Stevenson started off the fourth set with a kill and Washburn got out to a 6-3 lead. A pair of 4-0 scoring runs by the Bearcats helped them take a 7-6 lead and then a 14-10 advantage. Allison Maxwell knocked down a kill to make it just a one point deficit at 18-17, but Northwest Missouri answered with five-consecutive points, including three service aces. The match ended on a close play at the net that was determined to be a Washburn attacking error.
 
Washburn finished the night with a .180 hitting percentage while Northwest Missouri hit .162. Both teams landed exactly 54 kills and Washburn led in digs, 94-89. NWMSU had 10 service aces to WU's four, but the Ichabods led in blocks, 9-7.
 
Berg led the Ichabods with 17 kills and notched her sixth double-double of the season as she added 14 digs. Kelsey Gordon was close behind with 16 kills and had a .419 hitting percentage. Maxwell had seven kills and six blocks.
 
Sadler recorded her ninth double-double finishing the night with 45 assists and 12 digs. Faith Rottinghaus led all players with 34 digs and Taylor Antonowich scooped up 15 digs.
 
For the Bearcats, Kelsey Havel and Payton Kirchhoefer both knocked down 17 kills apiece.