TOPEKA, Kan. -- No. 9 Washburn volleyball picked up its first ranked victory of the year in dominant fashion on Saturday afternoon knocking off No. 2 Nebraska Kearney in three sets. The Ichabods stay at Whiting Fieldhouse next week beginning with Central Missouri at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16.  

It was a back-and-forth affair in the first set, but after coming away with a 25-21 win Washburn (17-1, 6-1 MIAA) didn't look back, winning 25-13 and 25-14 in the final two sets over the Lopers (18-2, 5-2 MIAA).  

With a win over the No. 2 nationally ranked Nebraska Kearney, it was the highest-ranked victory for Washburn since Sept. 18, 2021 when they also defeated the Lopers, who were ranked No. 1 in the nation at the time. With the win moving the Ichabods to 17-1 it matches the best start to a season since 2021 when they also began the season 17-1.  

Within the first 16 points of the match there were six ties as both sides traded blows. A eight-point rally from the Ichabods began with Brynne Topolski slashing a kill and ended at 14-8 after Austin Broadie hit back-to-back kills. Nebraska Kearney came nearly all the way back, getting within one point but Washburn had an answer, landing four straight points with a block by Bella Limback and Keilah Rivers capping off the rally. Broadie eventually landed another kill to end the set 25-21.  

The momentum carried over into the second set for the Ichabods as they jumped out to a 6-0 run with the last three points all coming from Alex Dvorak on a solo block and two kills. Also at the net, Limback and Emery Keebaugh combined for a block to make it 10-2 and force another Loper timeout. Washburn eventually pushed the lead to double-digits at 22-12 before taking three of the final four points and winning 25-13.  

After going back-and-forth early in the third set the Ichabod offense took over beginning with a 4-0 run to go up 14-9. Shortly after Washburn reeled off a 9-2 run as the team hit .500 in the set with 14 kills and just one error. It was a pair of service errors by Nebraska Kearney that ended the set and match to complete the sweep.  

The Ichabod offense delivered another ultra-efficient outing, hitting .323 with 46 kills while holding the Lopers to just a .115 hitting percentage with 30 kills. Washburn controlled the defensive side as well with a 53-31 dig advantage while also leading in assists 40-26. 

Alex Dvorak led the offensive showing slashing 10 kills in 13 attempts for a .769 hitting percentage. Keilah Rivers also had 10 kills while hitting .368 and adding seven digs. Brynne Topolski knocked down nine kills and hit .412. Corinna McMullen nearly had a double-double finishing with 17 assists and nine digs while Taylor Rottinghaus scooped 13 digs.  

Carly Purdy led Nebraska Kearney with eight kills, Peyton Neff had 21 assists.