SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- No. 6 Washburn remained unbeaten on the season with a pair of victories in two different facilities on day two of the Sioux Falls Classic on Friday, defeating Upper Iowa 3-0 in the morning and Sioux Falls 3-1 in the evening. The Ichabods wrap up the tournament facing Augustana at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Match one: Washburn 3, Upper Iowa 0
The Peacocks got off to a quick 5-1 start in the first set forcing a quick Washburn timeout. Out of the break the Ichabods began chipping away, tying the set at 11 after Shannon Frakes served an ace. With the set tied at 15 Washburn launched a 9-0 run starting with a kill by Natalie Hedlund and ending with a kill from Frakes that brought up set point. The Ichabods closed out the set, winning 25-16.
In the second set Washburn got out to a quicker start, leading 6-1 after Brynne Topolski found the hardwood for a kill. A kill by Emma Siron capped off a 4-1 run that pushed the lead to 21-14 and forced a timeout by Upper Iowa. The Peacocks pulled within five before the Ichabods closed out the set 25-18 winning the final two points.
A quick start gave Washburn a 6-3 advantage in the third after another Siron kill. A 6-1 rally from Upper Iowa would tie the match up at 18 and force a timeout from the Ichabods. Out of the break Hayden Meats slashed a kill that started a string of seven straight points to end the set and complete a sweep.
Washburn hit .313 as a team with 50 kills across the three sets while holding the Peacocks to 32 kills and a .148 hitting percentage as a team. The Ichabods led 52-43 in digs as well as 47-30 in assists.
Emma Siron had a big day with 18 kills while hitting .400 and adding eight digs. Shannon Frakes dished out 38 assists and had a double-double with 11 digs. Natalie Hedlund and Brynne Topolski each added 11 kills while Taylor Rottinghaus scooped up 13 digs.
Natalie Bystol led Upper Iowa with 12 kills and Grace Fruzen had 27 assists.
Match two: Washburn 3, Sioux Falls 1
All four sets went down to the wire with Washburn taking the first 25-21 before Sioux Falls responded to win 25-22 in the second. The Ichabods overcame deficits in both the next two sets to win 25-23 in both to secure the match.
It was all Washburn in the first set of the match leading 11-4 after a kill from Brooklyn Morrissey. Shortly after the Cougars rattled off 11 of 12 points to lead 16-14. The lead grew to four points before the Ichabods answered with a 7-0 run to lead 22-19 after a Siron kill. They continued to slash kills down the stretch to win 25-21 in the first.
Both sides split the first 16 points in the second set before Washburn went ahead with a 4-0 run to lead 11-8 after Avery Willey landed an ace. The lead grew to five before the set swung with seven straight points for Sioux Falls to go in front 22-20 where they held on the rest of the way for a 25-22 victory.
The momentum carried over into an 8-3 lead to begin the third set for the Cougars. The Ichabods did not tie or lead in the set until Siron knocked down a pass from Taylor Rottinghaus to make it 19-19. Shortly after a three-point burst brought up set point and Washburn was able to close out the set 25-23 and take a 2-1 advantage in the match.
Early in the fourth set a pair of kills by Topolski helped spark a 6-0 run for the Ichabods. This time Sioux Falls began playing catch-up, as they used a six-point rally to lead 22-20. This time Washburn responded with a four-point run of their own starting with Frakes sneaking past a kill. With the score at 24-23 Topolski found the floor for a kill to wrap up the match 3-1.
The Ichabods led 66-41 in kills for the match but were out-hit .213 to .158 as Washburn racked up 37 errors. Blocks went in favor of the Cougars 15-4 but assists went 56-40 in the opposite direction. Sioux Falls also held a 63-54 edge in digs.
Brynne Topolski was consistent with 20 kills hitting .405 and adding nine digs. Kennedy Derks had a career-high 12 kills while hitting .391. Emma Siron had a double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs. Shannon Frakes set a new career-high with 49 assists while Taylor Rottinghaus led the way with 20 digs.
Abby Haus led the host Sioux Falls with 16 kills and made six blocks as well.
