TOPEKA, Kan. -- No. 18 Washburn heads to the postseason on Thursday as the No. 3 seed in the MIAA Tournament where they will face the No. 6 seed Pittsburg State at 2:30 p.m. inside Civic Arena in St. Joseph, Mo.

SCHEDULE SETUP

>> No. 18 Washburn begins postseason play heading to St. Joseph, Mo. for the MIAA Tournament Quarterfinals where they will face Pittsburg State. 

>> The Ichabods earned the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament and will face the No. 6 seed Gorillas at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12 inside Civic Arena.

>> Washburn is 23-6 on the year overall and finished 9-3 in the MIAA. They have won and swept four straight matches after blanking William Jewell in the regular season finale on Nov. 3 in Liberty, Mo.

>> Pittsburg State enters the match with a 22-8 record on the year after going 7-5 in MIAA play and riding a three-match winning streak.

FOLLOW ALONG

>> Fans wanting to follow along can do so through a video livestream on the MIAA Network.

>> Live stats are accessible via the schedule page on wusports.com, as well as on social media on the official X account of Ichabod Volleyball, @IchabodVB. 

SERVING UP FACTS

>> Washburn is 11-4 on the year playing at home inside of Lee Arena, they are 10-1 in true road contests and 2-1 in neutral court meetings.

>> The Ichabods were picked to finish in a tie for first at the top of the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll. They received a league-high five first place votes and 134 total points, tied with Nebraska Kearney for the top spot.

>> Washburn ranks No. 18 in the latest AVCA national poll released on Monday, Nov. 9 with 411 total points in the ballot. 

>> They are ranked No. 7 in the latest NPI Central Region rankings released on Monday, Nov. 9 which are used to determine seeding in the NCAA Central Region Tournament.

>> The Ichabods delivered a 24th straight winning season going 27-5 in 2025 with a 13-3 record inside the MIAA, securing a share of the MIAA Regular Season Championship.

>> Last season Washburn went 5-5 against AVCA top-25 opponents including 3-3 against opponents ranked inside the top-10. They are 2-2 against AVCA opponents this season.

>> The 2026 roster is balanced by class once again. It is the third time in the Chris Herron era, and the third straight year, with at least four players from each class freshman through senior.

TOURNAMENT TIME!

>> Washburn has a 19-17 record all-time in the MIAA Tournament. 

>> They are 12-4 in the quarterfinal round and 16-7 as the higher seed in their tournament matches. 

>> In neutral court tournament matches they are 8-9.

>> The Ichabods have a 4-3 record in the MIAA Tournament as the No. 3 seed, including last season reaching the MIAA Championship match.

>> Washburn is 3-1 against Pittsburg State in the MIAA Tournament.

ALL-MIAA ICHABODS

>> Washburn had eight players named to the All-MIAA teams on Wednesday. 

>> Taylor Rottinghaus earned First-Team All-MIAA honors for the first time in her career at libero.

>> Emma Siron, Hayden Meats and Brynne Topolski were each named to the Second-Team as outside hitters. Meats and Siron earn their first All-MIAA honor with Washburn while Topolski is a repeat selection.

>> Four players were named All-MIAA Honorable Mention selections, each for the first time in their Ichabod careers. Natalie Hedlund earned a spot at outside hitter, Autumn Gibbs landed on the defensive specialist list, Brooklyn Morrissey was tabbed at middle hitter and Shannon Frakes earned a spot at setter. 

THE BLUE BUNCH

>> Brynne Topolski has played in 28 matches while making 23 starts and leads the offense with 294 kills (3.03 per set) while also hitting .271, third best on the team. She has added 121 digs (1.25 per set) along with making 59 blocks, second most on the team. The Lincoln, Neb. native has recorded double-figure kills in 15 matches with one double-double. She is 11th in the MIAA in kills per set, 12th in points per set and 13th in hitting percentage.

>> Emma Siron is second on the Ichabod offense with 263 kills (2.71 per set) while hitting .195 on the outside. She has started in 26 matches and played in 27 while serving 28 aces tied for a team-high. She has also scooped 243 digs (2.52 per set) and made 40 blocks. She ranks 3rd on the team with 231 assists (2.38 per set) as well. The Sedalia, Mo. native has tallied 11 double-digit kill matches with 12 double-doubles and one triple-double. She is 16th in the MIAA with 3.24 points per set while ranking 17th in the MIAA in kills per set.

>> Taylor Rottinghaus has played in 27 matches, starting each one at libero. She has recorded a team-high 489 digs (5.06 per set) and has ten matches with 20+ digs. The Berryton, Kan. native has also added 80 assists with 28 aces served, tied for a team-high. The senior ranks 4th in the MIAA and 31st in the nation in digs per set.

>> Shannon Frakes leads the Washburn passing attack with team-high 614 assists (9.30 per set). The junior has played in 20 matches while starting in 16. She is fourth on the team in digs with 187 (2.83 per set) while also recording 47 kills, 23 blocks and serving 18 aces. The Overland Park, Kan. native has four matches with 40+ assists and has recorded nine double-doubles.

>> Brooklyn Morrissey has played in 27 matches while making 26 starts and leads the team hitting .305. She has slashed 189 kills (1.93 per set) and leads the team with 97 blocks (0.99 per set). The Lenexa, Kan. native has recorded six double-digit kill matches and has seven or more blocks in six matches. She ranks 11th in the MIAA and 79th nationally in blocks per set while ranking 8th in the conference in hitting percentage.

>> Natalie Hedlund has played in all 29 matches, making 13 starts. She is third on the team having slashed 233 kills (2.45 per set) and is hitting .245 on the year. The senior has also added 58 digs and 42 blocks. She has eight double-digit kill matches.

>> Autumn Gibbs has played in 28 matches making 16 starts. She is 2nd on the team with 250 digs (2.48 per set). The Columbus, Neb. native has served 21 aces and added 62 assists. She has 12 matches with double-digit digs.

>> Hayden Meats has played in 24 matches and made 15 starts. She has delivered 178 kills (2.51 per set) and is hitting .205 on the year. She had added 161 digs (2.27 per set) and 15 blocks defensively as well. She has eight double-digit kill matches and three double-doubles.

>> Morgan Sears has played in 20 matches while making 13 starts during her freshman season. She has 79 kills on the year (1.41 per set) while hitting .305. On the defensive end she has made 58 blocks (1.04 per set). She has eight matches with at least five blocks.

>> Kennedy Derks has played in 17 matches making 13 starts. She has slashed 60 kills (1.20 per set) while hitting .205. She also has made 35 blocks on the defensive end and has three matches with five or more blocks.

>> Lauren Tyler is second on the team with 301 assists (4.85 per set) while playing in 22 matches and making four starts. She has also made served 14 aces and scooped 128 digs (2.06 per set). The senior has two 30+ assist matches and seven double-doubles.

>> Avery Willey has appeared in all 29 matches making one start and suited up at libero in another. The freshman has 87 digs while adding 18 aces and and 11 assists. She has two matches with double-figure dig efforts. 

>> Chloe Traffas has appeared in 19 matches off the bench for the Ichabods. She has scooped up 33 digs along with dishing out six assists and serving eight aces. 

>> Chloe Carlgren has played in 11 matches and made four starts on the year. She has six kills and has added 12 blocks and three digs on the defensive end.

>> Keilah Rivers has played in 12 matches off the bench making 17 kills while swinging at a .160 clip. She has added ten digs and two blocks.

>> Brooklyn Benoit has come off the bench in 15 matches. She has delivered four kills with four aces and scooped 17 digs.  

HEAD COACH CHRIS HERRON

>> Herron is in his 25th season at the helm of the Ichabod volleyball program with a career record of 674-151 at Washburn. 

>> Was inducted into the Washburn Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025.

>> He has led the Ichabod to 19 NCAA Tournament appearances and seven combined MIAA titles (six 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 54 All-American awards, 95 All-Region/District awards and 50 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 sixth season as an assistant coach for the Ichabods. 

>> The former All-American setter has helped guide Washburn to a 143-44 record during her time on the sidelines.

>> 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 ten total All-Americans and 13 All-MIAA first team selections.

>> Student assistants and former Ichabod student-athletes Heather Schemper and Katie Borough round out the coaching staff. Schemper is in her 2nd season on the sideline while 2026 is Borough's first.

LAST TIME OUT 

Washburn 3, William Jewell 0 (November 3, 2026)

LIBERTY, Mo. -- No. 16 Washburn wrapped up the regular season with a fourth straight sweep on Tuesday evening defeating William Jewell 3-0 on the road. Next up, the Ichabods will head to the MIAA Tournament in St. Joseph, Mo. beginning Nov. 12.  

Washburn (23-6, 9-3 MIAA) pulled away late in the first set to win 25-21 before securing the sweep with 25-16 and 25-23 wins over the Cardinals (7-20, 3-8 GLVC) in the next two sets.  

The first set opened with the Ichabods jumping out to a 9-3 lead after Morgan Sears took a pass from Shannon Frakes to the floor. William Jewell battled back, pulling within three points after going on a 4-0 run and later going in front 16-15 after five points in a row. Washburn responded with five points of their own, three coming on kills by Brynne Topolski as the momentum carried over into a 25-21 victory in the first set. 

An early four-point burst in the second set put the Ichabods up 8-5 after Sydney Buscher landed a kill. The lead grew to six points after Topolski and Sears combined for a block that capped off another 4-0 rally. The Washburn lead reached double figures as the team combined to hit .372 for the set to win 25-16. 

In the third set, both sides split the first 20 points of the match. The Cardinals took the lead winning five of six points to go in front 15-12. The Ichabods jumped right back in front with four straight points, a run that grew to 7-1 and a 19-16 lead after Natalie Hedlund landed a kill. Late in the set William Jewell pulled within one point but Washburn was able to hold on late to win 25-23 and complete the sweep. 

In the sweep the Ichabods hit .303 with 51 kills while holding the Cardinals to 35 kills and a .140 hitting percentage. Digs went 61-51 in favor of Washburn, as did assists, 49-32.  

Brynne Topolski had 10 kills while hitting .381 and adding three blocks for the Ichaobds. Hayden Meats also had 10 kills, adding 11 digs for a double-double. Shannon Frakes notched a double-double as well with 24 assists and 15 digs. Taylor Rottinghaus had 14 digs and Morgan Sears hit .545 with seven kills and six blocks.  

Macy Bartlett led William Jewell with 13 kills while adding seven digs. 

RANKING ROUNDUP

>> The Ichabods are 21st in the nation and 3rd in the MIAA with 13.88 kills per set.

>> Washburn is 3rd in the conference with 12.94 assists per set, 16th in the nation.

>> The Ichabods are 21st nationally with 17.83 digs per set, the number ranks 5th in the MIAA.

>> With 2.07 blocks per set Washburn ranks 55th in the nation and 6th among conference foes. 

>> The Ichabods are holding opponents to a .150 hitting percentage, 5th best in the MIAA and 44th in the nation.

>> As a team Washburn is hitting .239, 41st in the nation and 4th in the conference.

SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION

About the Pittsburg State Gorillas

>> Pittsburg State enters the tournament with a 22-8 record overall after going 7-5 in MIAA play. They finished the regular season winning three straight matches including a 3-0 win over Northwest Missouri last time out on Nov. 7.

>> Last season the Gorillas finished the year 14-15 overall with a 6-10 record inside the MIAA. They advanced to the semifinal round of the MIAA Tournament before falling to Washburn.

>> On the year Pittsburg State is 7-4 playing at home inside of John Lance Arena, 8-4 on the road and 7-0 in neutral court matches.

>> Megan Besecker is in her 2nd season as the head coach at Pittsburg State where she has a 36-23 career record.

>> Assistant coach Remi Vargas and graduate assistant Josie McCroskey complete the coaching staff.

>> As a team the Gorillas hit .257 with 13.1 kills per set. They also average 12.2 assists, 15.8 digs, 3.3 blocks and serve 1.1 aces per set.

>> They lead the conference and nation in blocks per set while ranking 2nd in the MIAA and 25th nationally in hitting percentage. Opponents are hitting .147, the 3rd best mark in the MIAA and the 35th in the nation.

>> Crystal Smith is second on the team with 314 kills (2.91 per set) while also hitting a team-best .386. She has played in all 30 matches making 29 starts and defensively has tallied a team-high 188 blocks (1.74 per set) while scooping 65 digs. She leads the nation in blocks per set, is 2nd in the MIAA in hitting percetnage and 23rd in the nation. The sophomore also ranks 2nd in the conference in points per set and 13th in kills per set. She earned First-Team All-MIAA honors and was named the MIAA Blocker of the Year.

>> Jesa Wallace leads a two-setter attack with 685 assists on the year (6.12 per set) while starting in 27 matches and appearing in all 30. She has served a team-high 26 aces and added 239 digs (2.13 per set). She ranks 11th in the MIAA in assists per set.

>> Maddi LaPointe leads the team with 319 kills (2.85 per set) while hitting .276. She has played in all 30 matches and made 27 starts while adding 121 blocks (1.08 per set) and 34 digs. She ranks 6th in the MIAA and 42nd nationally in blocks per set, 8th in the MIAA in points per set, 12th in hitting percentage and 14th in kills per set. She was named to the All-MIAA First-Team.

>> Kassidy Nixon has scooped a team-high 372 digs (3.72 per set) while playing in 27 matches and making one start. She has also dished out 69 assists. She is 10th in the conference in digs per set.

>> Washburn leads the all-time series between the two teams 69-22 and is riding a 34-match winning streak against Pittsburg State.

>> The Ichabods are 9-6 against the Gorillas in neutral court matches.

>> The series began on Oct. 13, 1975 with a 2-0 win for Pittsburg State in Ottawa, Kan.

>> Washburn won a five-set match over the Gorillas in Pittsburg on Oct. 2 this season. 

>> Brynne Topolski had 18 kills in the match while Hayden Meats added 16. Taylor Rottinghaus scooped up 30 digs and Emma Siron dished out 31 assists in the victory.

MILESTONE MARKERS

>> With 1, 967 career digs, Taylor Rottinghaus is 4th on the Ichabod all-time charts in total digs. Her career digs per set mark of 4.79 is 4th in program history. 

>> With 94 career service aces she sits tied for 24th in program history in career aces.

>> Brynne Topolski's career .259 attacking percentage is 21st on the Ichabod all-time charts. She sits 34th in program history with 698 career kills.

>> Shannon Frakes is 21st in program history with 769 career assists, her 614 assists this season are the 37th most in a season in program history.

>> Natalie Hedlund is 50th in program history with 450 career kills. She is 32nd all-time with a .202 career hitting percentage.

2025 SEASON REWIND

>> Washburn went 27-5 in 2025 with a 13-3 record inside the MIAA, securing a share of the MIAA Regular Season Championship.

>> The Ichabods advanced to the MIAA Tournament Championship match for the second time in the last four seasons, falling to the top seed Nebraska Kearney.

>> Washburn made a 19th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, earning the No. 6 seed in the Central Region.

>> They defeated the No. 3 seed and No. 4 nationally ranked Wayne State College 3-0 in the quarterfinal round before falling 0-3 to the No. 2 seed and No. 6 ranked Concordia-St. Paul in the semifinals. 

>> Seven players earned All-MIAA honors: Austin Broadie (First Team/Player of the Year), Bella Limback (First Team), Corinna McMullen, Taylor Rottinghaus, Brynne Topolski and Alex Dvorak (Second Team) along with Keilah Rivers (Honorable Mention). 

>> Austin Broadie was named and AVCA First Team All-American and Bella Limback earned Honorable Mention AVCA All-American recognition.

TAKE A LOOK AHEAD

>> With a win the Ichabods will advance into the semifinal round of the MIAA Tournament where they will face the winner of the match between the No. 2 seed Missouri Western and No. 7 seed Northwest Missouri on Friday, Nov. 13 at 5 p.m.

>> Seeding for the NCAA Tournament will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 9 p.m. live streamed on ncaa.com.