ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- Washburn volleyball had its 2023 season ended on Thursday night with a 3-1 loss to No. 4 seeded Missouri Western State in the MIAA Tournament Quarterfinals. The Ichabods finish the season 17-11 and fifth in the MIAA regular season.  

The No. 5 seed Washburn took the first set over the Griffons at the Civic Arena, 28-26, but fell in the next three sets losing 25-21, 25-20 and 27-25.  

After Missouri Western won the opening point of the match a kill by Austin Broadie sparked a 4-0 run for the Ichabods. The Griffons came right back to win six of the next seven points to go up by two. Washburn trailed in the set until a 3-0 run started and ended with kills by Bella Limback to go up 16-15. Missouri Western would come back with a 6-2 stretch to force set point at 24-20. 

The Ichabods rattled off exactly four points in a row to tie with two of the kills coming from Jalyn Stevenson. After the Griffons had set point two more times Washburn was able to take advantage ending the set on consecutive kills from Austin Broadie and Rylee Unruh.  

The second set began with the Ichabods holding a 2-0 lead before MWSU went on a 5-0 run to take control of the set. Stevenson was able to knock down a kill which tied the set at eight and the two sides tied five more times before Washburn took the lead on a Taryn Pridgett kill to make it 16-15.  

The Griffons tied the match and took the lead as part of a 5-1 run and forced set point at 24-20. This time they only surrendered one point to Washburn before putting the set away at 25-21.  

Missouri Western jumped out to an 8-4 third set lead which quickly grew to 11-6. Corinna McMullen set up Iyannah Jackson for a kill to make it 17-15 which was as close as the set would get the rest of the way. Both sides had their most efficient offensive attacking set in the third with the Griffons out-hitting Washburn .308 to .212 and winning 25-21.  

The Ichabods began in a hole in the fourth set falling behind 4-0. Washburn had already exhausted its second timeout of the set when the score reached 14-6 in favor of the team from St. Joseph. The Ichabods came back with exactly eight points in a row to tie the set ending the dramatic run with an ace by McMullen. 

After the Griffons won the next two Washburn responded with five in a row beginning with Maddie Steiner setting up Stevenson for a kill. The Ichabods ledas late into the match as 22-19 before MWSU reeled off five in a row to not only take the lead but force match point. Washburn avoided the final outcome twice, first with winning two points in a row to tie the match at 24 but after the fourth attempt Missouri Western finished it off with a 27-25 fourth set win.  

Washburn trailed the Griffons by only two in overall kills 67 to 65, but hit just .167 compared to .211 for Missouri Western. The Ichabods held a one-dig advantage at 112 to 111 and both teams were locked at 60 assists.  

Jalyn Stevenson led Washburn in kills with 14 and hit .211 for the match. She was aslo busy defensively, making a career-high 33 saves. Austin Broadie finished second on the Ichabods with 14 kills on .379 attack percentage. Taylor Rottinghaus led all players in digs making 36 total in the match, a new career-high for her as well and tied for the 8th most digs in a four set match in program history. Both Rylee Unruh and Taryn Pridgett ended the season with 11 kills.  

Holly Heldt had 20 kills for the Griffons to lead all players, she also had 23 digs. Taylor Russell had 18 kills on .421 hitting and Nessa Johnson led all players with 53 assists.  

Season Notes 

• Washburn finished 17-11 overall and 11-9 in the MIAA with a fifth place regular season finish 

• The Ichabods went 11-3 in Lee Arena  

• Jalyn Stevenson, Rachel Schwensen, Taylor Rottinghaus and Corinna McMullen were all named to All-MIAA teams and were presented with trophies before the match on Sunday. 

• Washburn won three matches against teams ranked in the top-25 

• Head coach Chris Herron reached win number 600 at Washburn in his 22nd season coaching