TOPEKA, Kan. -- No. 8 Washburn Ichabod volleyball opens the 2026 season at home with three matches across four days at the Washburn Invitational inside of Lee Arena starting on Thursday, Aug. 27.
 

SCHEDULE SETUP

>> No. 8 Washburn Ichabod volleyball begins its 57th season at home in Lee Arena for four matches in three days at the Washburn Invitational.

>> The season and tournament will begin on Thursday, Aug. 27 with Washburn facing Oklahoma Christian at 6 p.m. 

>> The next day they face Arkansas Tech at 2 p.m. in the afternoon before taking on William Jewell at 7 p.m. in the evening. The final day of the tournament features a 2 p.m. meeting against Westminster University. 

>> The Ichabods enter the tournament with a clean 0-0 record after going 27-5 a season ago and 13-3 inside the MIAA.

>> Each other team also begins its 2026 season at the Washburn Invitational. Oklahoma Christian went 19-10 a season ago, Arkansas Tech was 15-12, William Jewell posted a 4-23 record in 2025 and Westminster went 17-10. 

FOLLOW ALONG

>> Fans wanting to follow along can do so through live stats, live video on the MIAA Network or on social media on the official X account of Ichabod Volleyball, @IchabodVB. 

WASHBURN INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY HOTEL TOPEKA

>> The 2026 Washburn Invitational presented by Hotel Topeka all takes place inside of Lee Arena between August 27-29, 2026. 

>> All matches will be livestreamed on the MIAA Network and live stats will be available through the Washburn schedule page and tournament page found on wusports.com.

 >> Tickets are available online at wusports.com and at the Lee Arena box office.

>> All times listed are CST, home teams are listed first. Matches may run late but could start early if both coaches agree. 

>> Last season Washburn went 4-0 at the Washburn Invitational. They have won their last 23 matches played at home in regular season tournaments.

Serving Up Facts

>> In 2025 Washburn went 12-1 playing inside its temporary home of Whiting Fieldhouse, 5-2 in true road matches and 10-2 in neutral court meetings.

>> This is the first season since 2021 that the Ichabods will open up the season at home. Washburn has won its last seven season-openers.

>> 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 was picked eighth in the AVCA preseason poll released on August 17. They received 793 total points. They also finished last season ranked No. 8 in the nation.

>> 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.

>> 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.

THE BODS ARE BACK - 2026 RETURNERS

>> Taylor Rottinghaus leads a group of returners after suiting up as libero in all 32 matches last season. She returns as a senior after earning All-MIAA Second Team honors. She scooped a team-high 468 digs (4.37 per set) and was second on the team with 30 aces while adding 121 assists.  As a junior she had six matches with 20 or more digs. She finished 6th in the MIAA in total digs and 76th in the nation while ranking 7th in the conference in digs per set and 92nd nationally.

>> Brynne Topolski is back for her junior season hitting from the right side after playing in all 32 matches off the bench last year. She earned All-MIAA Second Team recognition last season after slashing 270 kills (2.57 per set), second most on the team, while hitting .270. She also added 54 blocks with 53 digs and six assists. Topolski had 11 matches with 10+ kills and nine hitting .400 or better. She finished 12th in the MIAA in hitting percentage. 

>> Keilah Rivers returns to the outside hitter rotation as a junior in 2026 after being named an All-MIAA Honorable Mention last season while playing in all 32 matches and making 30 starts. She finished third on the team with 222 kills (2.18 per set) last season while hitting .178. She served 26 aces while scooping 243 digs (2.38 per set) and adding 41 blocks. Also had six matches with 10+ kills and two double-doubles. 

>> Autumn Gibbs is back on the backline for her senior season in 2026. As a junior she played in all 32 matches while making eight starts and finished third on the team with 274 digs (2.56 per set). She also served 26 aces and added 49 assists while compiling 11 matches with double-digit digs.

>> Emery Keebaugh is back for her junior season in the outside hitter rotation. As a sophomore she played in 25 matches and 61 sets while making 11 starts. She tallied 113 kills (1.85 per set) while hitting .205 and adding 47 digs, 19 blocks and three service aces. Had four matches with nine kills.

>> Natalie Hedlund returns for her senior season with the Ichabods attacking from the outside. She appeared in 66 sets across 23 matches and made 15 starts as a junior slashing 125 kills (1.89 per set). She also added 52 digs and 40 blocks and tallied four double-digit kill efforts. 

>> Brooklyn Morrissey begins her sophomore season as part of the attack in the middle. She played in 17 matches and 41 sets making nine starts last season. Morrissey tallied 55 kills (1.34 per set) while hitting .288, she also added 41 blocks (1.00 per set) and made 10 digs. 

>> Shannon Frakes heads into her junior season as part of the Washburn setter rotation in 2026. Last season she played in 20 matches and appeared in 30 sets dishing out 103 assists (3.43 per set) while adding 36 digs and served seven aces.

>> Sydney Buscher begins year two as an Ichabod swinging on the right side. As a freshman in 2025 she played in 11 matches and 16 sets. She slashed 20 kills hitting .359 while adding four digs and two blocks.

>> Chloe Traffas is heading into her sophomore season as a defensive specialist with the Ichabods. Last season she played in 11 matches and 19 sets off the bench. She scooped up seven digs and dished out one assist. 

>> Kennedy Derks begins her second season with Washburn as a sophomore in 2026. During her freshman campaign she appeared in 11 matches and 12 sets hitting five kills with three blocks, three digs and a pair of aces.

>> Josie Cleveringa is back for her junior season on the right side. Last season she played in six matches and eight sets off the bench. She slashed six kills in 10 attempts last season while adding a pair of blocks and a dig.

>> Chloe Carlgren returns as a senior for her second season in Topeka. She appeared in five matches and five sets while making on start in 2025. She had one kill and one assist while making a pair of blocks.

NEW FACES IN NAVY

>> Eight new Ichabods will suit up in 2026 with six incoming freshman and a pair of transfers. 

>> The freshman class features #2 Brooklyn Benoit (Wichita, Kan.), #4 Morgan Sears (Overland Park, Kan.), #12 Hayden Meats (Olathe, Kan.), #14 Kalyn Sampson (Sedgwick, Kan.), #20 Avery Willey (Topeka, Kan.) and #23 Finley Rieke (Tonganoxie, Kan.). 

>> Both Brooklyn Benoit and Hayden Meats will feature into the outside hitter rotation. Finley Rieke and Morgan Sears will work in the center of the court as middle blockers. Kalyn Sampson will join the group of setters while Avery Willey joins the returning defensive specialist & libero rotation.

>> Coming to Washburn as transfers are #8 Emma Siron (Sedalia, Mo.) and #15 Lauren Tyler (Rogersville, Mo.). 

>> Lauren Tyler will enter the setter rotation as a senior after spending three seasons at Drury. Played in 83 matches and 330 sets across three years tallied 2,500 assists (7.58 per set) with 680 digs (2.06 per set) and adding 266 kills with 113 aces. 

>> Emma Siron joins the group of outside hitters as a redshirt junior after spending three seasons and playing in two at Central Missouri. She played in 59 matches and 203 sets tallying 532 kills (2.62 per set) while hitting .218 with 361 digs (1.78 per set). Earned All-MIAA Second Team honors as a freshman in 2023, was a First Team All-MIAA selection in 2025 as a redshirt shophomore. 

Head Coach Chris Herron

>> Herron is in his 25th season at the helm of the Ichabod volleyball program with a career record of 651-145 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 49 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 120-38 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 12 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 

Concordia-St. Paul 3, Washburn 0 (December 5, 2025)

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.  

Ranking Roundup

>> Washburn finished 2025 7th in the nation and first in the MIAA with 13.56 assists per set.

>> The Ichabods were 8th in the nation with a .274 hitting percentage, a mark that led the MIAA.

>> Washburn also landed 8th in the nation while leading the MIAA with 14.56 kills per set.

>> On the defensive end the Ichabods held opponents to a .137 hitting percentage, 13th in the nation and first in the MIAA.

>> Washburn stacked up 2.49 blocks per set to rank 11th in the nation and 4th in the conference.

>> Washburn scooped up 16.86 digs per set to rank 68th in the nation and 6th in the MIAA.

>> The Ichabods finished 2nd in the MIAA with 1.65 aces served per set, a mark that ranks 138th nationally.

Scouting the Opposition

About the OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN EAGLES

>> Oklahoma Christian enters the 2026 season after going 19-10 in 2025 and advancing to the quarterfinal round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament after going 11-6 inside the LSC.

>> They will open up the 2026 season against the Ichabods.

>> The Eagles went 7-3 last season playing at home in Edmond, Okla., 7-5 in road matches and 5-2 in neutral court matches.

>> Asa Freeman is entering his 4th season as the head coach at Oklahoma Christian where he has a 47-31 record. 

>> Assistant coaches Taryn Winters and Kylie Tineo along with graduate assistant Izabely Benjamin round out the coaching staff. 

>> As a team the Eagles hit .228 with 13.2 kills per set. They also average 12.5 assists, 17.2 digs, 2.2 blocks and serve 1.3 aces per set.

>> They ranked 3rd in the LSC and 55th in the nation in hitting percentage. They also ranked 4th in the conference in blocks per set while ranking 41st in the nation. In assists per set they are 38th nationally and 5th in the LSC. 

>> Chloe Jones is the leading returner on offense for Oklahoma Christian as a junior. She was second on the team last season with 295 kills (2.76 per set) while hitting .226. She played and started in 29 matches while scooping 393 digs (3.67 per set), the second most on the team, and adding 43 blocks and 12 aces. Was 11th in the LSC in digs per set and 22nd in kills per set a season ago.

>> Summer van Meerveld leads all returners in assists from a season ago after dishing out 550 (5.19 per set), second most on the team. She played in all 29 matches making one start as she heads into her sophomore campaign. Last year she added 206 digs (1.94 per set) and served 31 aces, second most on the squad. She was 14th in the conference in assists per set.

>> Macey Nehring returns to the back row for the Eagles after playing in all 29 matches a season ago. She led the team with 433 digs (4.05 per set) while also serving 28 aces and adding 96 assists. She finished 8th in the LSC in digs per set as a freshman.

>> Lauren Cary is back for a senior season after playing in 26 matches and making 24 starts a season ago. She slashed 131 kills (1.47 per set) while hitting .262, the second best mark on the team last season. She was also second with 84 blocks while adding 57 digs and led the team with 34 aces. She finished 7th in the LSC in aces per set and was 8th in the conference in blocks per set. 

>> Washburn leads the all-time series between the two teams 1-0. The Ichabods have not played Oklahoma Christian at home before, they are 1-0 in neutral court matches. 

>> The first and only meeting between the two teams came on Oct. 1, 1983 and was a 2-0 win for Washburn.

About the ARKANSAS TECH GOLDEN SUNS

>> Arkansas Tech begins 2026 after delivering a 15-12 season a year ago while going 11-5 inside the GAC and falling in the quarterfinal round of the GAC tournament. 

>> They will face Westminster to open the 2026 season before facing Washburn.

>> The Golden Suns went 6-3 at home inside Tucker Coliseum last season while going 5-4 on the road and 4-5 in neutral court matches.

>> Hannah Wuest is in her second season as the head coach at Arkansas Tech where she has a 15-12 record entering 2026.

>> Graduate assistant Millie Allgood rounds out the coaching staff.

>> As a team in 2025 the Golden Suns hit .209 with 13.2 kills per set. They also averaged 12.1 assists, 17.3 digs, 1.8 blocks and served 1.6 aces per set.

>> They ranked 4th in the GAC and 59th in the nation in kills per set while also ranking 4th in the conference in hitting percentage, a mark that ranks 89th in the nation. In assists per set they ranked 67th nationally and 5th in the GAC. 

>> Henley Hooks returns for her senior season after leading the offense with 293 kills (3.08 per set) a season ago. She hit .241 while playing in all 27 matches and making 24 starts. During her junior season she also added 98 digs and 44 blocks. She finished 4th in the GAC in kills per set and 8th in the conference in points per set with 3.38.

>> Leading the returning passing attack is Kenzie Garrett as she returns for a senior season after playing in 24 matches and making 13 starts last season. She finished second on the team with 371 assists and led with 5.01 assists per set. She served a team-high 29 aces while scooping 121 digs (1.64 per set). She was 7th in the GAC in aces per set and 13th in the conference in assists per set. 

>> Samantha Wojtowicz returns as a junior after leading the team with 461 digs (4.85 per set) a season ago. She played in all 27 matches, adding 24 aces and 94 assists. She finished 6th in the GAC and 52nd in the nation in digs per set.

>> Erika Hernandez is back for a sophomore season after leading the Golden Suns with 67 blocks a season ago. She played and started in all 27 matches while slashing 226 kills (2.35 per set) and hitting a team-high .371. She finished the season 1st in the GAC in hitting percentage and 18th in the nation. 

>> Washburn leads the all-time series between the two teams 7-3. The Ichabods are 0-1 against Arkansas Tech in Topeka.

>> The series began on Oct. 14, 2000 with a 3-1 win for the Golden Suns in Arkadelphia, Ark. The most recent meeting came on Sept. 1, 2017 and was a 3-1 victory for Arkansas Tech inside Lee Arena.

About the WILLIAM JEWELL CARDINALS

>> William Jewell turns the page to 2026 after going 4-23 in 2025 with an 0-13 mark inside the GLVC, missing out on the conference tournament.

>> They will begin the season at the Washburn Invitational. 

>> The Cardinals went 0-7 last season playing at home in Liberty, Mo. On the road they went 0-9 while posting a 4-7 record in neutral court matches.

>> Head coach Joe Adams enters his second season as the head coach at William Jewell where he has a 4-23 career record. 

>> As a team the Cardinals hit .099 with 9.3 kills per set a season ago. They also average 8.6 assists, 14.4 digs, 1.5 blocks and served 1.5 aces per set.

>> They ranked 11th in the GLVC in aces per set last season while ranking 14th in the GLVC in both assists per set and kills per set last season.

>> Macy Bartlett returns the most kills from a season ago with 156 (1.97 per set) while hitting .120. She will be a junior after playing in 24 matches and starting in 22 matches a season ago. She added 61 digs and made 14 blocks on the year. 

>> Madison Roney is back and will be a junior after leading the Cardinals with 210 digs (2.36 per set) last season. She appeared in all 27 matches while making three starts and served a team-high 29 aces while adding 19 assists. 

>> Olivia Starr will return the most assists from a season ago where she finished with 168 (4.10 per set). She played in 16 matches and made five starts as a sophomore. She also added 64 digs (1.56 per set) with eight aces. 

>> Wylie Singleton leads all returners in hitting percentage from a season ago after hitting .127 as a sophomore in 2025. She played in 26 matches and made 20 starts while slashing 74 kills and making a team-high 61 blocks. She was 14th in the GLVC in blocks per set. 

>> Washburn leads the all-time series between the two teams 11-1 and have won the last ten matches overall. The Ichabods are 3-0 against William Jewell in Topeka with a 2-0 mark on the road. 

>> The series began on Nov 3, 1976 with a 2-1 win for the Ichabods in Atchison, Kan., the most recent meeting was a 3-0 win for Washburn at home on Sept. 13, 2025. 

About the WESTMINSTER GRIFFINS

>> Westminster went 17-10 in 2025 with a 9-5 mark inside the RMAC, they fell in the first round of the conference tournament.

>> They will open up the 2026 season at the Washburn Invitational.

>> The Griffins went 4-5 last season playing in Salt Lake City, 9-3 on the road and were 4-2 in neutral court matches.

>> Lindsey Calvin is in her first season as the head coach at Westminster. 

>> Assistant coach Hannah Hair rounds out the coaching staff. 

>> As a team the Griffins hit .193 with 12.3 kills per set a season ago. They also averaged 11.1 assists, 16.7 digs, 1.9 blocks and served 1.4 aces per set.

>> Last season they ranked 4th in the RMAC in digs per set and 76th in the nation. They were in the top half of the conference in aces per set sitting at 6th among conference foes. 

>> Westminster does not return any players who recorded more than 100 kills a season ago. Apiline White is the leading offensive returner after she slashed 79 kills (1.72 per set) last season while swinging .094. She played in 20 matches and made five starts. She added 23 digs and six blocks.

>> Ava Livolsi returns at libero for a sophomore campaign after leading the team with 436 digs (4.19 per set) a season ago. She appeared in all 27 matches while making one start. As a freshman she added 23 aces and chipped in 96 assists. She finished 6th in the RMAC and 115th in the nation in digs per set. 

>> Alie Sparrow returns after playing in 23 matches and making eight starts last season. She registered 79 kills (1.46 per set) while hitting .221 as a redshirt freshman last season. She added 31 digs and 22 blocks as well.

>> Mary Fonoimoana gets set for her junior season after playing in 18 matches and making six starts last season. She served 16 aces while scooping 119 digs (2.05 per set). She also added 10 kills and five assists.

>> Saturday's match will be the first ever meeting between the two teams.

Milestone Markers

>> With 1, 481 career digs, Taylor Rottinghaus is 9th on the Ichabod all-time charts in total digs. Her career digs per set mark of 4.70 is 4th in program history. 

>> With 66 career service aces she is tied for 45th in program history. 

>> Brynne Topolski is 96 career kills away from reaching 500 total at Washburn.

>> Topolski's career .251 attacking percentage is 23rd on the Ichabod all-time charts. 

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

>> Next week, Washburn will head to Sioux Falls, S.D. for four matches in the Sioux Falls Classic beginning Thursday, Sept. 3 and going through Saturday, Sept. 5.

>> The first MIAA match of the season will come on Friday, Sept. 18 facing off with Fort Hays State at 6 p.m. inside of Lee Arena. 

>> Senior night for the Ichabods will take place on Saturday, Oct. 24 against Northwest Missouri State beginning at 2 p.m. 

>> The MIAA Tournament is hosted in St. Joseph, Mo. at the Civic Arena from Thursday, Nov 12 to Saturday, Nov. 14.