By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
It wasn’t always pretty, but the No. 8 nationally-ranked Ichabods opened the Washburn Invitational volleyball tournament by handling Oklahoma Christian in four sets Thursday night.
Junior setter Shannon Frakes had 47 assists and 19 digs in Thursday's 3-1 Washburn win over Oklahoma Christian. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The Junior Blues will play three more matches over the next two days, providing coach Chris Herron a lot of information to work with.
After dominating the opening set 25-13, Washburn stumbled in the second, giving up a 14-9 lead to eventually lose, 30-28. The Ichabods quickly regained their stride, winning the next two sets, 25-18 and 25-14.
An out-of-rotation foul disrupted the Ichabods’ momentum in the second set, opening the door for the Eagles to claim that win.
“That discombobulated us and we didn’t ever get it back,” Herron said. “But (Oklahoma Christian) is a good team. They went to the NCAA tournament last year, so you got to give them some credit. In this first match, you’re ironing out those kinds of things, hoping the next day is better. It will be.”
The match against Oklahoma Christian was the Ichabods’ first time out since they fell in the NCAA Central Regional last December. Expectations remain high. Washburn was tied atop the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll this fall as well as ranked eighth nationally to start the season. Herron said if the Ichabods are to reach those lofty heights, they must gather a lot of information from this season-opening tournament.
“You’ve got to get better in these kinds of settings,” said the 25-year head coach. “After it’s over, we will watch the film and break things down. We will try to play as many kids as we possibly can this weekend and see where we can get better.”
Washburn returns to the court Friday at 2 p.m. to take on Arkansas Tech. The Ichabods will face William Jewell at 7 p.m. on Friday before closing out the weekend with a 2 p.m. Saturday match against Westminster University.
Redshirt junior outside hitter Emma Siron (8) paced Washburn volleyball with 20 kills in Thursday's 3-1 win over Oklahoma Christian. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Junior outside hitter Brynne Topolski has a double-double with 18 kills and 21 digs in Washburn volleyball's 3-1 win over Oklahoma Christian. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Herron credited senior setter Shannon Frakes for getting the ball to the right hitters in the right positions in the opening match. He also singled out returning junior Brynne Topolski and transfer junior Emma Siron, who combined for 38 of the team’s 65 kills.
Topekan Chloe Carlgren, a senior middle blocker, puts away a shot in Thursday's Washburn volleyball win over Oklahoma Christian. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Senior middle blocker, Chloe Carlgren, a 2023 graduate of Washburn Rural, was happy to play a season-opener at home. The Ichabods have opened every season since 2021 on the road. She was also excited to play in Lee Arena after the team played all its matches in Whiting Fieldhouse in 2025 while renovations were completed in the Ichabods’ regular home.
“I think the vibes were different because it’s like a new gym, new feeling, and we had a big cheering section which made it really feel like home and like we had a lot of extra energy,” Carlgren said. “We were a little bit questionable about (playing in) Whiting at first, but I feel like we definitely grew into it. But being here, it’s definitely a bigger atmosphere feeling and we’re glad to be down here.”
Following her career at Washburn Rural, Carlgren played two years at Johnson County before coming to Washburn a year ago. She admits that first matches are always different, no matter where you are.
“There’s nerves, you know, just feeling your way through, but we knew we have each other’s backs and we’re all in it for the team,” Carlgren said. “I feel like we’re meshing well. We all have that one goal – to win at the end of the day and win for each other.”
The Ichabod offense hit .256 and slashed 65 kills while holding the Eagles to .110 hitting and 39 kills. They also led in assists 62-39 and 88-67 in digs.
Siron led the way on offense with 20 kills while hitting .277 and adding eight digs.
Frakes controlled the offense with a career-high 47 assists and had 19 digs.
Topolski also had a double-double with 18 kills and 21 digs.
Shawnee Heights product Taylor Rottinghaus, a senior libero, recorded 26 digs in Thursday's four-set Washburn volleyball win over Oklahoma Christian. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Natalie Hedlund added 11 kills while Taylor Rottinghaus scooped up a team-high 26 digs.
Jenna McClure led the Eagles with 13 kills and added 13 digs as well.
