By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
No. 22-ranked Washburn University volleyball moved to 4-0 on the year and completed an undefeated opening weekend at the Oredigger Volleyball Classic on Saturday with a 3-1 win over Davenport and a 3-0 sweep of Valdosta State on Saturday.
Washburn volleyball celebrates a point in Saturday's Oredigger Classic. [Photo by Zach Greer/Colorado School of Mines]
The Ichabods will host the Washburn Invitational next Friday and Saturday.
After the first set against Davenport Washburn found itself trailing for the first time this season, but the Ichabods rallied to win the next three sets and take the match, 20-25, 25-17, 25-14 and 25-15.
Washburn fell behind early in the first set 9-5 and the Davenport lead grew to as high as eight points at 21-13 as the Ichabods were unable to make up ground.
The second set went back-and-forth at the start, with four ties in the first 14 points.
But Washburn was able to create some separation, leading 13-9 after a 4-point run. The Ichabod offense rebounded from the first set, hitting .348 as a team in the second.
Bella Limback knocked down a kill to secure the 8-point second-set win and tie the match.
In the third set the Ichabods built an early lead.
Back-to-back kills from Brynne Topoliski pushed the lead to five at 17-12.
A kill from Keilah Rivers made it 19-14 and started a 7-0 run for Washburn to end the set at 25-20 on an ace from Taylor Rottinghaus.
The fourth set was another quick start for the Ichabods, with WU going in front 6-1 after consecutive kills from Natalie Hedlund.
The Panthers rallied to keep it close before a 4-0 Washburn run put it in front 14-6 after two kills by Austin Broadie. The Ichabod offense had its most efficient hitting set of the match, hitting .414 in the fourth set to clinch the match with a 10-point victory.
Offensive production was big in Washburn's favor, with the Ichabods hitting .328 to just .132 for Davenport with a 53-41 advantage in kills. The Ichabods led in assists, 51-39, as well as digs, 57-42, and 8-5 in blocks.
Broadie led the offensive attack with 13 kills while hitting .526. Corinna McMullen led the passing attack with 23 assists and added 11 digs for a double-double. Sydney Conner also had a double-double with 21 assists and 11 digs.
Abby Alan led Davenport with 15 kills and Madison Berry had 37 assists.
Washburn earned its third sweep of the weekend in decisive fashion over Valdosta State. The Ichabods won all three sets by 10 or more points, 25-13, 25-12 and 25-15.
The Ichabods pulled away in set one with a 9-1 run, capped off by a kill from Broadie to go up 17-10. The Blazers managed just three more points the rest of the set as they were held to a -.138 attacking percentage by the Washburn defense.
In the second set, a 5-0 run in the middle of the action created separation once again.
Limback started the run with a kill and Rivers capped off the run with an ace to put Washburn up 17-9. The burst turned into a larger 11-1 run to provide a double digit lead.
Josie Cleveringa came off the bench to end the 13-point win with a kill.
After starting the third set tied 3-3, Emery Keebaugh slashed two straight kills to kick off a 9-1 run. The offensive attack continued as Washburn knocked down 18 kills in the set while hitting .419 as a team as the Ichabods went on to win the set and match, 25-15.
Across the three sets the Ichabods hit .367 as a team while holding Valdosta State to an .024 hitting percentage. WU also led 47-19 in kills. Digs went big in favor of Washburn, 45-27, as did assists, 45-18, and aces, 6-1.
Broadie had a second double-digit kill game with 10 on a .571 hitting percentage. Limback hit .818 with nine kills. McMullen paced the passers with 24 assists and Rottinghaus had 15 digs.
WU soccer falls 3-0 to Missouri-St. Louis
The Washburn women's soccer team lost 3-0 on the road at Missouri-St. Louis on Saturday, falling to 0-1-1 on the season.
The first 10 minutes were dominated by the Ichabods, who recorded two shots and took one corner kick.
In the 19th minute of the match, UMSL's Kennadi Hooks put the Tritons in front 1-0 with a goal assisted by Josie Maddox.
In the 40th minute the Tritons added another goal, this time by Gwen Maggard. A minute before the halftime whistle, UMSL added another goal by way of Taylor Martin to put the hosts up 3-0 heading into the break.
In the second half, Washburn continued to push for goals as they put five of their eight shots in the half on goal, forcing six saves from UMSL's goalkeeper Rylee Griffith.
The Ichabods recorded 15 shots, with six of them on goal.
Washburn will be on the road again next Friday as it travels to Springfield, Mo., to take on Drury in a 5 p.m. match.
The Ichabods will play their home opener on Sunday, Sept. 14, hosting University of Mary in a 1 p.m. contest.
