KEARNEY, Neb. -- No. 7 Washburn's season came to an end Friday night with a 3-0 loss to No. 6 Concordia-St. Paul in the NCAA Regional Semifinals. The Ichabods end the season with a 27-5 record after going 13-3 in the MIAA and winning a share of the MIAA Regular Season Championship.
The Golden Bears (28-5), the No. 2 seed in the region, took control late in the first set and went up 1-0 in the match with a 25-21 win. The sixth seeded Washburn (27-5) led early in the second before falling by the same score, 25-21. They led deep into the third set but were unable to extend the match, falling 26-24 in the third.
Early in the first set it was back-and-forth with eight ties in the first 16 points. Concordia-St. Paul created some space with three straight points to lead 15-12. Shortly after Keilah Rivers knocked down a kill that pulled the Ichabods within one point at 17-16. They stayed within two points until the Golden Bears secured the final two points of the set to win 25-21. Both teams hit over .270 in the set to open the match.
After CSP got the first point in the second, Brooklyn Morrissey slashed a kill that started a 6-0 run. Washburn held the lead until the Golden Bears won five straight points to go in front by one, 13-12. The deficit grew to as many as four points but the Ichabods hung around, pulling back within two at 23-21 on a Brynne Topolski kill from Sydney Conner. Once again the final two points went to Concordia-St. Paul to win the set.
Washburn jumped in front 7-4 in the third after Austin Broadie connected on a kill. The lead grew to seven points at 14-7 after a six-point burst that began with Morrisey taking a pass from Corinna McMullen to the floor. The Golden Bears won six of the next eight points to pull within three at 16-13. The Ichabods recovered, going on a 6-4 run to lead 22-17 after Broadie and Bella Limback made a block. CSP won four straight points, forcing two Washburn timeouts. They still were able to reach match point at 24-23 after an attacking error. The next three points went to the Golden Bears as they closed out the match 26-24.
For the match Concordia-St. Paul led in hitting percentage .236 to .191 with 49 kills to 43. The Ichabods led 70-65 in digs but were out-assisted 48-40 and out-aced 6-0.
Austin Broadie and Brynne Topolski each led with nine kills. Keilah Rivers had eight kills with nine digs and Bella Limback had six kills while hitting .462. Autumn Gibbs led the team with 16 digs, Taylor Rottinghaus had 13. Sydney Conner gave out a team-high 19 assists with seven digs and Corinna McMullen had a double-double with 17 assists and 10 digs.
Makenna Nold led Concordia-St. Paul with 16 kills, Cassie Sieling had 19 digs.
Season Notes:
