EDMOND, Okla. -- No. 13 Washburn fell for the first time on the road suffering a 3-0 loss to Central Oklahoma on Friday night. The Ichabods quickly return to action facing Newman at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Wichita.
A back-and-forth first set went in favor of the home Bronchos (15-5, 4-2 MIAA) 25-20, before they went on to win 25-16 in the second and 25-23 in the third to complete the sweep.
The lead traded hands multiple times early on in the first set, after a 3-0 run Washburn (17-4, 5-2 MIAA) went in front after an ace by Autumn Gibbs. It was quickly followed by a 5-0 burst from Central Oklahoma that gave them a lead they would hold the rest of the way. The home squad finished the set winning three of the final four points to win 25-20.
They jumped out ahead in the second set as well, leading 6-1 early on. Midway through the set six points in a row for the Bronchos pushed the lead into double figures at 20-8. The Ichabods could only cut the lead down to eight after a kill from Brynne Topolski as the home squad went in front 2-0 with a 25-16 second set victory.
In the third set it was Washburn that got out in front, using a 3-0 burst that began with a kill by Emma Siron to lead 9-4. Central Oklahoma began to chip away before going in front after a five-point rally to make it 16-13. Late in the set the Ichabods went back in front 20-19 after Morgan Sears bashed back-to-back kills but the Bronchos answered right back with three in a row. After an attacking error from Central Oklahoma the score was tied at 23, the next two points went in their favor, securing the third set victory and match sweep.
The home team hit .244 in the match with 46 kills while Washburn was held to .136 hitting and registered 35 total kills. Digs went narrowly to UCO, 64-62, while assists also went in their favor, 41-31.
Natalie Hedlund led the Ichabod offense with 10 kills while hitting .500. Emma Siron added eight kills with 15 assists and nine digs while Taylor Rottinghaus scooped up a team-high 14 digs. Lauren Tyler had a double-double with 10 assists and 11 digs.
Georgia Ahlert led Central Oklahoma with 13 kills while Riley Roberts dished out 33 assists on the night.
