Welcome to Top Sports News
Expectations high for defending MIAA champion WU soccer despite heavy graduation losses
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Graduation wasn't kind to the Washburn University women's soccer team, with Davy Phillips' Ichabods losing 10 seniors, including four all-conference picks from last fall's 14-4-3 team.
Washburn soccer, back-to-back MIAA champions, opened preseason practice on Monday after posting a 14-4-3 record in 2024. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
The Ichabods also lost standout second-team all-conference goalkeeper Hailey Beck, who was forced to step away from competition due to injuries.
But the expectations remain sky-high for an Ichabod program that has won back-to-back conference championships while advancing to the NCAA Tournament both seasons, including a runnerup national finish two seasons ago.
"(Sunday) was the first day or meetings and we talked about how we continue the same standard and expectations,'' said Phillips, who has posted a 79-50-12 record in seven previous seasons at WU. "We have a really solid group of returners who had a fantastic spring and that was kind of the first experience without all those (graduated) players. So the spring was really valuable for all of our returners and then this may be the best recruiting class we've had.
"I'm excited to get back to teaching without all those experienced groups that have been here sometimes for five years, some of those COVID seniors. We got to a point where we were just kind of managing expectations. Everyone knew their job, new their role, so this is kind of fun -- new, fresh what we're teaching -- but still adhering to those standards and expectations that have provided success for us so far.''
Taylor Rottinghaus inching up Ichabod volleyball all-time lists, but focused on bottom line
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Halfway through her Washburn University volleyball career, junior libero/defensive specialist Taylor Rottinghaus already ranks among the Ichabod career, single season and single match dig leaders.
Junior Taylor Rottinghaus has earned back-to-back All-MIAA second-team honors for Washburn volleyball. [File photo/TSN]
But there's only one stat that really matters to the former Shawnee Heights star and that's the Ichabods' team win total.
"When it comes to statistics, during preseason and getting the season started I pay a little mind to it, but at the same time I'm just out there playing my game with the girls,'' said Rottinghaus, a two-time All-MIAA second-team pick.
"And if I have a bad day I have a bad day, if I have a good day I have a good day. At the end of the day I know what I'm capable of and what our team can accomplish.''
Rottinghaus played in all 29 matches and 112 sets for the 21-8 Ichabods last season, leading the team with 569 digs (5.08 per set) while adding 84 assists and 29 aces.
Rottinghaus had 14 matches with at least 20 digs, including a career-high 40 digs against Nebraska-Kearney in five sets and also had 31 digs in three sets against the Lopers.
Junior Taylor Rottinghaus led 21-8 Washburn volleyball with 569 digs last fall. [File photo/TSN]
Entering the 2025 season Rottinghaus ranks No. 4 all-time at Washburn in career digs per set (4.87), No. 9 in single-season digs per set (5.08) and tied for No. 4 in a five-set single match (40).
Rottinghaus ranks No. 27 all-time with 1,013 career digs and is on pace to crack the top 10 by the end of her junior campaign.
Taylor's older sister, Faith, is Washburn's career digs leader with 2,676 and the five-time All-American is ranked either No. 1 or No. 2 in all digs categories.
"As I'm getting older, more and more people are starting to ask me like, 'Oh, you're coming for her records,' and everything like that,'' Taylor Rottinghaus said. "A little family competition never hurts anybody. She was a great player and I think I'm a great player, so it just kind of motivates me to be like her.''
Herron, Ichabod volleyball enter 2025 with high hopes while adjusting to temporary home
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
In his 23 previous seasons as Washburn University volleyball coach, Chris Herron has never coached a home match anywhere but in Lee Arena.
Washburn University's volleyball team opened preseason practice Monday in Whiting Fieldhouse after posting a 21-8 record and earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament last fall. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
But that will change this fall as the Ichabods make Whiting Fieldhouse their temporary home while a major renovation project continues in Lee Arena.
And while Herron, who has led the Ichabods to a 624-140 overall record with six MIAA titles and 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, would certainly prefer to be in Lee, he promised that the Ichabods will make the most of the situation.
Veteran Washburn University volleyball coach Chris Herron talks to his Ichabods during Monday's practice in Whiting Fieldhouse. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Ichabods held their first official practice of 2025 Monday afternoon in Whiting and will open their home schedule on Sept. 12-13 with the Washburn Invitational.
"I've gone about this simply looking at it only positive,'' Herron said. "We're not talking about anything negative. We're not talking that it's going to be smaller because for us it's going to be smaller, but it's going to be loud in here.
"The seating's going to be limited, so people better get here early because it's a first come, first serve kind of deal. Here's what we're going to do: Instead of saying, 'Oh, poor us, poor us,' we're looking forward to the season.''
The Ichabods enter the upcoming season with high hopes after posting a 21-8 record last season and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Washburn opened the NCAAs with a 3-2 win over No. 5 nationally-ranked Nebraska-Kearney before dropping a five-set decision to No. 6 Central Oklahoma.
