TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn Ichabod volleyball beings the 2024 season on Thursday at the Kansas City Classic with three matches across three days. The first two matches will be played at Rockhurst University with the final match on Saturday against the other host, William Jewell.
Setting The Schedule
>> The Washburn volleyball team begins the 2023 season in the City of Fountains with three matches in three days at the 2024 Kansas City Classic between September 5-7.
>> The Ichabods will open the season against Sioux Falls (S.D.) on Thursday, September 5 at 4 p.m. The next day they will face Winona State at 10 a.m. Both matches will be played at Mason-Halpin Field House on the campus of Rockhurst University.
>> Washburn wraps up the weekend on Saturday at 11 a.m. against William Jewell in Liberty, Mo.
The 2024 Kansas City Classic
>> The 2024 Kansas City Classic will be made up of six teams. Washburn and Emporia State from the MIAA, Rockhurst and William Jewell from the GLVC and Winona State along with Sioux Falls (S.D) representing the NSIC.
>> All matches will be played at either Rockhurst's Mason-Halpin Field House or the Mabee Center of William Jewell.
>> All tournament matches will be live streamed on the GLVC Network. Access to the network can be purchased on a per match or per day basis through the network at a cost of $12 per match.
>> Live stats can still be found through the Washburn schedule page and through the Ichabod volleyball page on X.
Quick Hits
>> Washburn is 39-15 all-time in seasons openers and 27-6 since joining the NCAA and MIAA in 1989.
>> In the AVCA preseason poll Washburn was receiving votes just outside the top-25 with 31 total points in the poll.
>> The Ichabods were picked to finish four in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll just behind Nebraska-Kearney. They received one first place vote in the poll.
>> Washburn finished fifth in the 2023 MIAA regular season standings with an 11-9 record.
>> The Ichabods went 17-11 overall a season ago going 11-3 at home, 4-7 on the road and 2-1 in neutral court matches.
>> They were 3-2 against ranked opponents in 2023, winning 12 out of 18 sets in those matches.
>> The 2024 roster is the most balanced by class in the Chris Herron era. For the first time in his tenure there are at least four players from each class on the roster.
Back in Blue - 2024 Returners
>> The 2024 Ichabod roster features 13 returners with 12 letterwinners from a season ago. By class Washburn returns five seniors, three juniors and five sophomores.
>> Jalyn Stevenson returns for her senior year with Washburn coming off a second straight season earning first team All-MIAA honors as an outside hitter. In 2023 she led the Ichabods with 342 kills (3.32 per set) while hitting .216. She recorded 338 digs (3.28 per set), served 33 aces and was apart of 31 total blocks. Stevenson was the only player to appear and start in all 28 matches a season ago. She finished second in the MIAA in points per set (3.81), fourth in kills per set and 6th in total kills.
>> Corinna McMullen will enter her junior season after earning All-MIAA second team honors as a setter during her sophomore campaign. In 2023 she posted a team-high 625 assists (6.07 per set) while also leading the team with 51 aces. She posted 284 digs (2.76 per set) while playing in all 28 matches with 23 starts. She finished first in the conference in aces per set (.50) and total aces, good for 46th and 52nd in the nation respectively.
>> Taylor Rottinghaus begins year two with Washburn after capturing a spot on the All-MIAA second team as a libero during her freshman season. She led the Ichabods with 444 digs (4.63 per set) a year ago. She also chipped in 78 assists and served seven aces on the year. Rottinghaus played in all 28 matches, finishing the year with six straight matches of 20+ digs. She posted the 3rd most digs per set in the MIAA last season with the 7th most digs in the conference overall.
>> Austin Broadie begins her senior season after finishing fourth on the team in kills with 196 (1.94 per set) a season ago. She hit .242 on the year and was second on the team with 72 total blocks including eight solo stops. She appeared in all 28 matches while making 19 starts.
>> Taryn Pridgett returns for her senior season after knocking down 108 kills (1.86 per set) and hitting .204 a season ago. She added in 27 combined blocks and made 25 digs on the year across 21 matches with three starts.
>> Maddie Steiner will be a senior in 2024 after recording 113 digs (1.74 per set) in 2023. She played in 24 matches making one start while also assisting on 32 kills and serving six aces.
>> Emma Williams rounds out the senior class after appearing in 26 matches as a junior. She served 10 aces and made 27 digs on the year.
>> Bella Limback finished fifth on the team in kills a season ago with 152 (1.57 per set) on the year while hitting .268. She returns as a junior after playing in all 28 matches with 25 stats. Last season she led the Ichabods with 83 total blocks while also making 64 digs and serving 20 aces.
>> Sydney Conner will also be a junior after racking up the second most assists on the team last year with 484 (4.70 per set). She added 195 digs (1.89 per set) and served 23 aces while playing in all 28 matches and making five starts.
>> Kali Henry will be a redshirt sophomore after appearing in 24 matches a season ago. She served four aces made 19 digs and added five assists.
>> Sophia Cavanaugh will be a sophomore in 2024 after playing in 15 matches with one start as a freshman. She recorded 23 kills while hitting .148 and made nine total blocks.
>> Natalie Hedlund appeared in 14 matches as a freshman in 2023 and rounds out the group of returners in 2024. She recorded 10 kills on the year with a block and three digs.
New Faces in Navy
>> Washburn adds eight new members to the 2024 roster with seven incoming freshmen and one transfer coming to Topeka.
>> Alex Dvorak joins the Ichabods as a junior middle hitter after spending two seasons at William Jewell. In 2023 as a sophomore she hit .316 for the Cardinals with 272 total kills and made 85 blocks. The Kansas City, Mo. native was named to the Midwest Region Crossover All-Tournament Team as a freshman.
>> Three outside hitters will join the Ichabods in the group of seven freshmen. Brynne Topolski (Lincoln, Neb.), Keilah Rivers (Olathe, Kan.), and Emery Keebaugh (Ottawa, Kan.) will all begin their careers on the outside.
>> Taryn Marcum (Paola, Kan.) will join the defensive specialist/libero group.
>> Josie Cleveringa (North Bend, Neb.) becomes the only right side hitter on the roster.
>> Shannon Frakes (Overland Park, Kan.) will give the Ichabods a third setter.
>> Abby Leaf (Ramsey, Minn.) is the only player on the roster from Minnesota and is also the third middle hitter.
Head Coach Chris Herron
>> Herron enters his 23rd season at the helm of the Ichabod volleyball program with a career record of 603-132 at Washburn.
>> He has led the Ichabod to 17 NCAA Tournament appearances and six combined MIAA titles (five regular season and one tournament).
>> Has been named MIAA Coach of the Year four times (2002, 2005, 2007 and 2011).
>> Led the Ichabods to the NCAA National Championship match in 2021.
>> Has seen his players earn 50 All-American awards, 90 All-Region/District awards and 46 All-MIAA first team selections.
>> Spent 14 years as a high school coach at Tonganoxie HS and Golden City HS.
>> Is a 1980 graduate of the College of the Ozarks where he earned his bachelor's of science in physical education.
Assistant Coaches
>> Shayla Conner enters her fourth season as an assistant coach for the Ichabods.
>> The former All-American setter has helped guide Washburn to a 72-25 record in her first three seasons.
>> In her first season she helped the Ichabods to the National Championship match. In 2022, Washburn won its first-ever MIAA Tournament Championship.
>> She has coached six total All-Americans and nine All-MIAA first team selections.
>> Cade Berg enters his third season as a member of the Ichabod coaching staff as a student assistant.
>> During his tenure Washburn has earned a pair of All-American honors and four All-MIAA first team selections.
By the Numbers
>> 2: NCAA Central Region Championships won by Washburn in the past five seasons.
>> 13: Number of returning members of the 2023 team.
>> 22: Consecutive winning seasons for Washburn all coming under Chris Herron.
>> 123: Consecutive victories when winning the first two sets of a match.
>> 603: Career victories for Herron at Washburn.
Ranking Roundup
>> Washburn finished first in the MIAA and 86th in the nation with an average of 1.80 aces per set a season ago. They were 3rd in the conference with 185 total aces.
>> The Ichabods finished 12th in the nation and 4th in the conference making 18.18 digs per game.
>> With 12.60 assists per set Washburn posted the 21st highest mark in the nation and fourth in the MIAA.
>> The Ichabods finished 32nd in the nation in kills per set with 13.41. That placed them fourth among conference foes.
Milestone Markers
>> Jalyn Stevenson needs nine kills and 10 digs to crack 1,000 in her career in both categories. She currently sits 25th all-time in kills and 26th in program history in digs.
>> Corinna McMullen is 14th in program history in total assists with 1,430. She needs 85 to move into 13th on the program charts.
>> Sydney Conner has 1,045 career assists, putting her 19th in Washburn history. She will move into 18th with 115 more assists.
Scouting the Opposition
About the Sioux Falls Cougars
>> Sioux Falls enters the new year after posting a 13-15 (9-9 NSIC) record a year ago and advancing to the first round of the NSIC Tournaments. They went 3-2 in neutral court matches.
>> They were picked to finish 8th in the Northern Sun Conference.
>> Dan Mathews enters his 5th season leading the Cougars, he has gone 48-36 in his first three full seasons with the 2020 season excluded due to COVID.
>> Assistant coach Maura Chadwick rounds out the coaching staff.
>> The Cougars return 13 players from 2023 and complete the roster with four freshmen.
>> In 2023 Sioux Falls averaged 13.0 kills per set while hitting .228 as a team. They posted 12.3 assists per set with 14.3 digs and 2.2 blocks.
>> Sadie Voss led the Cougars with 363 kills (3.63 per set) a season ago while hitting .251. She played in all 28 matches, accumulating 268 digs (2.68 per set), 41 total blocks and 15 aces. She earned NSIC All-Conference second team honors as an outside hitter.
>> Elsie Gillen leads Sioux Fall's passing attack after posting a team high 879 assists (8.79 per set) a season ago while playing in all 28 matches. She also topped the team chart with 42 aces and was third on the team finishing with 230 digs (2.30 per set).
>> Jordan Kuper returns to the middle of the net for the Cougars after finishing second on the team with 291 kills (2.94 per set) last year. She led the team with a .342 attack percentage while also posting a team high 100 combined blocks, including 31 solo stuffs. She was a member of the NSIC All-Conference second team for her performance.
>> Courtney Holsteen also returns after finishing third on the squad with 224 kills (2.24) a season ago. She hit .214 on the year while also chipping in 58 digs and 51 total blocks.
>> Washburn leads the all-time series over Sioux Falls 1-0. The Ichabods took the one encounter 3-1 on Aug. 27, 2022 in Kearney, Neb.
About the Winona State Warriors
>> Winona State enters 2024 after going 18-10 (10-8 NSIC) a season ago, advancing to the Quarterfinals of the NSIC Tournament. They were 6-1 in neutral court matches last year.
>> They were picked to finish 6th in the NSIC preseason poll and are receiving votes in the AVCA preseason ranking.
>> Head coach Joe Getzin enters his 10th season leading the Warriors where he has a 179-85 record.
>> Assistant coaches Kristine Pelky and Jackie Kiecker round out the coaching staff.
>> Winona State returns 12 players from last years roster while adding one transfer and four freshman to complete the squad.
>> The Warriors averaged 12.9 kills per set while hitting .216 last year. They posted 12.0 assists per set along with 17.1 digs and 1.8 blocks.
>> Sidney Paulson returns after leading Winona State with 342 kills (3.32 per set) a season ago. She hit .233 on the year while also finishing second on the team with 265 total digs (2.57 per set). She started in all 28 matches and made 36 total blocks en route to earning All-NSIC second team honors as a right side hitter.
>> Jaci WInchell paced the Warriors with 932 assists (8.96 per set) a season ago, playing in all 28 games. She finished third on the team with 250 total digs (2.40 per set) while also serving 11 aces and making 14 digs.
>> Gianna Vollrath will return to the middle of the net in 2024 after finishing second last year with 246 kills (2.41 per set) while hitting a team high .341. She added 90 digs and picked up the second most combined blocks with 50.
>> Lydia Lagne was third on the team with 209 kills (2.38 per set) while hitting .197. She played in 25 matches and added 49 digs with 23 blocks.
>> Washburn leads the all-time series with Winona State 1-0. The one meeting was a 3-1 victory in Warrensburg, Mo. on Dec. 2, 2021 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
About the William Jewell Cardinals
>> William Jewell posted a 12-17 (4-9 GLVC) record in 2023, missing out on the GLVC Tournament. They were just 5-9 in matches at the Mabee Center.
>> The Cardinals were picked 13th in the GLVC Preseason Coaches poll.
>> Deardin Kelley will begin her first season as the head coach at William Jewell after being hired on February 7. She heads to Lincoln, Mo. after two seasons as the head coach at Coffeyville Community College.
>> Assistant coaches Mia Hemke and Tiffany Wentworth complete the coaching staff.
>> The Cardinals return just five players from the 2023 roster. The 2024 unit features eight freshmen along with eight transfers as well.
>> Last season William Jewell averaged 13.1 kills per set while hitting .236 as a team. They tallied 12.3 assists per set along with 15.4 digs and 2.0 blocks.
>> Bella LaPorta returns for the Cardinals after leading the team with 442 kills (4.13 per set) in 2023. She hit .212 along the way and was second on the team with 355 digs (3.32 per set). Across starting all 29 matches she also added 41 blocks and was named to the All-GLVC first team as an outside hitter.
>> Alexis Nunn led William Jewell with 366 digs a season ago (3.42 per set) while playing in all 29 matches. She chipped in 97 assists and served 25 aces as well.
>> Katy Garrison finished fourth on the squad in kills last year with 186 (1.74 per set) while hitting .276. She led the Cardinals with 97 total blocks including 12 solo stops.
>> Samantha Thompson was second on the team in assists in 2023 with 477 (5.61 per set) across 24 matches with eight starts. She led the team with 37 aces on the year and added 173 digs (2.04 per set).
>> Washburn holds a 9-1 advantage in the all-time series with William Jewell, winning the last eight matches. The last contest came on Sept. 11, 2021 in Colorado Springs, Colo. and was a sweep for the Ichabods.
2023 Season Rewind
>> The Ichabods finished the 2023 season with a 17-11 record, going 11-9 inside the MIAA to finish fifth in the regular season.
>> They began the season 9-1
>> Washburn fell in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Championship Tournament 3-1 to Missouri Western State to end the season.
>> Jalyn Stevenson and Rachel Schwensen were named All-MIAA first team selections while Taylor Rottinghaus and Corinna McMullen earned second team honors. Both Stevenson and Rottinghaus were named to the MIAA All-Tournament team after each set new career-highs for digs in the quarterfinals match.
Take a Look Ahead
>> Next weekend Washburn will head west for four matches at the Mountaineer Volleyball Classic in Gunnison, Colo. They begin the quartet of matches against the host, Western Colorado University at 11 a.m. MST on September 13.
>> MIAA play for the Ichabods kicks off in Maryville, Mo. against Northwest Missouri State at 6 p.m. on Friday, September 27.
>> The 2024 home opener will be on the 13th match of the season, against Pittsburg State, on Thursday, October 3 at 6 p.m.
>> Senior night for Washburn will be on Saturday, November 9 at 6 p.m. as the Ichabods host Fort Hays State inside of Lee Arena.
>> The MIAA Championship Tournament will be held between Thursday, November 21 and Saturday, November 23 in St. Joseph, Mo. at Civic Arena.
