ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- No. 7 Washburn won a second straight 3-1 match knocking off No. 7 seeded Pittsburg State on Friday night to advance to the MIAA Championship match. The Ichabods will face the winner of the other semifinal match, the top seed and No. 3 nationally ranked Nebraska Kearney at 6 p.m.
Just like in the quarterfinals, Washburn (26-3, 13-3 MIAA) won the opening set this time 25-19 before falling in the second, 22-25. The Ichabods bounced back to defeat the Gorillas (14-15, 6-10 MIAA) twice more, 25-22 and 25-20 to close out the match and punch their first MIAA Championship appearance since 2022.
A 5-0 run early in the first set was capped by a kill from Keilah Rivers to go up 10-3. The lead grew to double-digits in the middle of a four-point burst that included three more kills by Rivers. Pittsburg State went on a 5-0 run late in the set to pull within four points at 23-19. Washburn closed out the set with two points in a row as Rivers slashed her sixth kill of the set to end it 25-19.
The Gorillas bounced back quickly, jumping out to a 7-2 lead in the second. The Ichabods kept it close and got within one point after a 5-1 run and kill by Austin Broadie. Both sides traded runs first with six for Pittsburg State followed by five in a row for Washburn. After pulling within one point and holding off set point once the Ichabods fell 25-22 as the match was evened.
In the third set the Gorillas got off to a quick start again, leading 11-7. The deficit for Washburn grew to as many as six before they won seven straight points, going in front 18-17 on a kill by Broadie on a dish from Autumn Gibbs. They created separation winning five of six points to lead 23-19 after Emery Keebaugh and Bella Limback combined for a block. Shortly after Limback closed out the set with a kill to win 25-22.
The Ichabods built an 8-4 lead to begin the fourth set after Sydney Conner set up Brynne Topolski for a kill. Pittsburg State rallied to pull within one point on four occasions, but each time Washburn had an answer. After the fourth time Natalie Hedlund landed a kill that began a 4-1 run to go up 18-14. The Ichabod defense took over the rest of the way, holding Pittsburg State to a .023 hitting percentage and going on to win 25-20 and take the match.
Washburn needed to hit just .152 in the defensive battle, slashing 62 kills across four sets while the Gorillas hit .115 with 42 kills. They also had advantages in digs, 92-86 and in assists, 55-38.
Keilah Rivers led the Ichabods in kills with 13 while adding 11 digs for a double-double. Bella Limback had 12 kills and hit .417 along with six blocks. Both setters delivered over 20 assists, Corinna McMullen dished 25 along with 17 digs while Sydney Conner added 23. Taylor Rottinghaus scooped up 25 digs while Autumn Gibbs made 19 saves.
Vix Vilott had a team-high 10 kills for Pittsburg State and Abby Carr led with 16 assists.
