By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- No. 6-ranked Washburn University volleyball remained unbeaten on the season at 7-0 with a pair of victories in two different facilities on Day 2 of the Sioux Falls Classic on Friday, defeating Upper Iowa 3-0 in the morning and Sioux Falls 3-1 in the evening.
Senior Taylor Rottinghaus registered 33 digs on the day as No. 6 Washburn volleyball improved to 7-0 Friday with a pair of wins. [File photo/TSN]
The Ichabods wrap up the tournament against Augustana at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Upper Iowa got off to a quick 5-1 start against Upper Iowa 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 set after another Siron kill. A 6-1 rally from Upper Iowa would tie the match 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.
Siron had a big day with 18 kills while hitting .400 and adding eight digs.
Frakes dished out 38 assists and had a double-double with 11 digs.
Hedlund and Topolski both added 11 kills while Taylor Rottinghaus scooped up 13 digs.
Natalie Bystol led Upper Iowa with 12 kills and Grace Fruzen had 27 assists.
All four sets in Washburn's second match of the day with Sioux Falls 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 of the next two sets to win 25-23 in both to secure the match.
Washburn led the first set 11-4 after a kill from Brooklyn Morrisey.
Shortly after that 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. WU continued to slash kills down the stretch to win 25-21.
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 a service ace. The lead grew to five before the set swung with seven straight points for Sioux Falls to go in front 22-20 and the Cougars 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 Rottinghaus to make it 19-19. Shortly after that 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 the Cougars used a six-point rally to lead 22-20.
This time Washburn responded with a four-point run of its own, starting with Frakes sneaking recording 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 held a 63-54 edge in digs.
Topolski was consistent with 20 kills, hitting .405 and adding nine digs. Kennedy Dirks had a career-high 12 kills while hitting .391.
Siron had a double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs. Frakes set a new career-high with 49 assists while Rottinghaus led the way with 20 digs.
Abby Haus led host Sioux Falls with 16 kills and made six blocks as well.
