By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
No. 2-ranked Washburn volleyball extended its consecutive set winning streak to 24 with a sweep Friday night in Whiting Fieldhouse. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]Washburn (20-1 overall, 9-1 MIAA) took control early in the first two sets, winning 25-17 and 25-15, but would need to battle back from a deficit in the third set to earn the sweep over the Hornets (17-4, 8-2) with a 25-23 win.
The first three points of the match all went to the Ichabods on kills set up by Corinna McMullen. A kill by Alex Dvorak sparked an 8-0 run, culminated with an ace from McMullen to put Washburn up 16-6.
Emporia State battled back to bring the score within six but were held to just a .100 hitting percentage as a team.
The final two points of the set came on kills by WU's Keilah Rivers.
The Ichabods got out to an early lead in the second set with the Hornets staying close, pulling within one at 10-9 after a three-point burst.
Dvorak started a 7-2 rally with a kill, putting Washburn up 17-11 after a Sydney Conner ace.
After hitting just .194 in the first set, the Ichabod offense hit .407 in the second, pulling away down the stretch with Dvorak ending the set on a kill.
Emporia State started the third set quicker, leading 9-6 after two straight points.
A four-point rally for Washburn put them in front 11-10 after two aces by Taylor Rottinghaus, but the visitors quickly flipped it back with three in a row of their own.
The Ichabods were able to come back for good and create some separation with a 6-1 run, capped by a kill by Austin Broadie to lead 22-18.
Washburn reached match point at 24-21 and twice the Hornets held firm until a kill by Sydney Buscher ended the match.
After hitting over .400 in each of the final two sets, the Ichabods finished the match hitting .326 as a team with 44 kills. Emporia State hit .259 with 35 kills. Washburn led 32-26 in digs and had a big 12-4 advantage in aces.
Rivers led the way with 10 kills while hitting .421 and added six digs. Buscher came off the bench to land a career-high seven kills on eight swings to hit .875. Dvorak also had seven kills while hitting .667.
Both setters, McMullen and Conner dished 17 assists while McMullen served four aces.
Emma Klett led Emporia State with 10 kills and hit .471 for the match.
The Ichabods are off for a week before hitting the road to take on Missouri Western State at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.
