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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
No. 9-ranked Washburn University volleyball picked up its first victory of the year over a nationally ranked team in dominant fashion on Saturday afternoon in Whiting Fieldhouse, knocking off No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney in three sets.
Washburn volleyball knocked off No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney for its fifth straight sweep Saturday at Whiting Fieldhouse. [File photo/TSN]
It was a back-and-forth affair in the first set, but after coming away with a 25-21 win, Washburn (17-1 overall, 6-1 in the MIAA) didn't look back, winning 25-13 and 25-14 in the final two sets over the Lopers (18-2, 5-2 MIAA) to post its fifth straight 3-0 sweep.
The win over Nebraska-Kearney was the highest-ranked victory for Washburn since Sept. 18, 2021 when the Ichabods also defeated the Lopers, who were ranked No. 1 in the nation at the time.
The Ichabods' 17-1 start matches the best start to a season since 2021 when Washburn also began the season 17-1.
Within the first 16 points of the match there were six ties as both sides traded blows. A eight-point rally from the Ichabods began with Brynne Topolski slashing a kill and ended at 14-8 after Austin Broadie delivered back-to-back kills.
Nebraska-Kearney came nearly all the way back, getting within one point, but Washburn had an answer, landing four straight points with a block by Limback and Keilah Rivers capping off the rally. Broadie eventually landed another kill to end the set at 25-21.
The momentum carried over into the second set for the Ichabods as they jumped out to a 6-0 run with the last three points all coming from Alex Dvorak on a solo block and two kills. Also at the net, Limback and Emery Keebaugh combined for a block to make it 10-2 and force another Loper timeout. Washburn eventually pushed the lead to double-digits at 22-12 before taking three of the final four points to win 25-13.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Defending Class 1A District 2 champion Rossville improved to 3-0 in the district and 5-1 overall with a 49-14 win over Cair Paravel Latin Friday night at Yager Stadium.
Andre Johnson, Rossville
Conner Bush, Rossville
The Bulldawgs jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter advantage and went up by a commanding 34-6 margin at the half before outscoring the Lions 15-8 in the second half as Cair Paravel fell to 1-5 overall and 0-3 in the district.
Seniors Conner Bush and Andre Johnson both had a pair of rushing touchdowns on the night, with Bush scoring on 3 and 8-yard runs and Johnson scoring on 2 and 5-yard runs.
Senior quarterback Canann Mitchell threw for a 31-yard touchdown to Cale Horak and completed a 9-yard TD strike to Jack Donovan.
The Bulldawgs also got a 10-yard TD scamper from Landen Lewis while Austin Dohrman kicked three extra points and Donovan added a pair of PATs. Johnson also scored on a two-point conversion in addition to his two TDs.
With Friday's win Rossville set up a district showdown at Olpe next Friday. The Eagles are 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the district.
Chargers rally to pick up first win
Topeka West used a 30-point fourth quarter to pull out a 42-27 United Kansas Conference road win at Kansas City-Turner Friday night.
Trey Parker, Topeka West
Josiah Wilkie, Topeka West
Turner, 1-5 overall and 0-5 in the UKC, led Topeka West, 1-5, 1-5, by a 7-6 margin at the end of the first quarter and built a 21-12 halftime advantage that also held up through a scoreless third quarter.
But the Chargers played their best football over the final 12 minutes, outscoring the Bears 30-6 to pull out the 15-point victory.
Topeka West has yet to lose to Turner since joining the UKC.
The Chargers will be back at Hummer Sports Park next Friday to host red-hot Leavenworth in a UKC contest.
The Pioneers are 5-1 overall and in the UKC after taking a 27-14 win over De Soto Friday night.
Eagles push win streak to four games
Silver Lake posted its fourth straight victory Friday night, improving to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in Class 2A District 3 with a 42-8 road win at Riley County.
The Eagles rode a strong defensive effort to the decisive win, led by senior Jayden Waterer.
Waterer had 10 tackles on the night, including three of Silver Lake's seven sacks.
Waterer caused two fumbles and had a fumble recovery while senior Dayne Johnson had a pass interception.
Silver Lake will be back at home next Friday to host undefeated Osage City in a district showdown.
The Indians are 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the district after a 49-14 win over St. Marys.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The Washburn University soccer team rode freshman Leah Henke's three-goal hat trick to a 5-1 MIAA road win at Missouri Southern Friday night.
Washburn freshman Leah Henke had a hat trick in Friday's 5-1 win at Missouri Southern and now has eight goals on the season. [File photo/TSN]
"I thought we did well in most aspects of the game tonight,'' Washburn coach Davy Phillips said. "It's always tough to get points on the road in this conference, so I'm very happy with the team performance today. We have to make sure we continue to grow, but I'm really proud of the progress the team continues to make."
The first half was filled with goals. Missouri Southern opened the scoring with a goal in the 11th minute from a penalty kick. Washburn responded directly back in the 13th minute with a goal from Henke, then Henke would score two more in the 15th minute (assisted by Grace Peterson) and 17th minutes to complete her hat trick.
Henke recorded the first hat trick by an Ichabod player since 2022 by Khloe Shuckman, who also did so against Missouri Southern. Henke now has eight goals on the season and has scored in three straight games.
Washburn recorded 15 shots in the opening half, with nine of them on target, while only allowing three shots in the half.
Washburn would add a fourth in the 55th minute on freshman Kate Hinck's third goal of the season, and was assisted by Brynn Alison. Washburn would wrap up the scoring with a fifth goal by Jules Wardlaw (assist by Bricelyn Betts) in the 73rd minute. Washburn took five second-half shots with four on goal.
Washburn will be back on the road against Pittsburg State on Sunday at 1 p.m.
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
No. 9 Washburn University volleyball recorded a fourth straight sweep on Friday night in its return to Whiting Fieldhouse, taking down Fort Hays State, 25-21, 25-17, 25-22.
No. 9 Washburn volleyball improved to 16-1 Friday night with its fourth straight MIAA sweep. [File photo/TSN]
The Ichabods are back in action at 2 p.m. Saturday, hosting No. 2 Nebraska-Kearney in a top-10 battle.
Washburn improved to 16-1 overall and 5-1 in the MIAA Friday night.
With the score tied 4-4 in the first set against Fort Hays State, a three-point rally was finished by two straight kills by Bella Limback.
Fort Hays State came back to tie the set at 10 before another three point burst by the Ichabods put them back in front. The lead was at five when the Tigers strung together five straight to tie the set at 19, and again at 20. An offense that hit .387 in the set led the way for WU, with Austin Broadie knocking down a kill to end the set.
A solo block at the net by Limback capped off a 5-1 start to the second set by Washburn. The lead grew to five at 10-5 on another solo rejection, this time by Alex Dvorak. Fort Hays State kept it within five until a three-point rally with kills by Dvorak, Broadie and Keilah Rivers created separation. Corinna McMullen set up Dvorak for the set-ending kill.
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By CHARLES SPURLOCK
Special to TopSports.news
On a beautiful night for football, city rivals Seaman and Shawnee Heights squared off in a United Kansas Conference matchup. Host Seaman was honoring its senior class and Shawnee Heights was coming off a tough, 50-48 loss to DeSoto last Friday night. However, Shawnee Heights played its best all-around game of the season, defeating the Vikings, 20-3.
“Kids played outstanding,'' Heights coach Jason Swift said. "That’s one of the best football games I’ve seen from a T-bird team ever. Everybody did their job -- all eleven on offense, defense and the special teams. They were phenomenal and I couldn’t be happier for these guys because they’ve faced adversity.
Following the tough loss to DeSoto last week, Coach Swift was proud of the team’s resolve, “You never know how someone will react when they get knocked down, but our boys got up and is a testament to them and their heart and resiliency.”
Seaman (3-3 overall, 3-2 UKC) took the opening kickoff and drove right down the field, but were unable to get into the end zone and senior Bryan Hayes kicked a 23-yard field goal to give the Vikings a 3-0 lead. On their ensuing possession, Shawnee Heights (2-4, 2-3) drove into the red zone, but junior wide receiver Javon Williams fumbled following a catch and Seaman took over at their own 18-yard line. Seaman responded to the turnover by driving back down into Thunderbird territory, but Hayes missed a 36-yard field goal attempt.
Following a couple of turnovers by the Vikings (an interception and on downs), the Thunderbirds were able to get on the scoreboard with a 10-yard pass from senior Aiden Scott to fellow senior AJ Gallegos. Senior Camden Granado kicked the extra point and with 4:59 remaining in the first half, Shawnee Heights led, 7-3. After another turnover on downs by Seaman with 2:56 left in the half, Shawnee Heights drove deep into Seaman territory and Granado kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired in the half, giving Heights a 10-3 lead going to the locker room.
As the second half began, Shawnee Heights appeared to be on their way to getting two scores on each side of the halftime break as sophomore Reid Niedfeldt took the opening kickoff 72 yards deep into Seaman territory. However, there was a penalty on the return, nullifying the terrific return. The teams traded punts after lengthy drives and Heights once again entered the red zone, threatening to extend their lead. But Viking senior Mike Hurla intercepted Scott’s pass at the 5-yard-line and returned it all the way to midfield with a little over three minutes remaining in the third quarter. As Seaman began moving the ball, the drive stalled because of a Viking fumble.
Shawnee Heights took the following possession into the fourth quarter and Scott was able to throw his second touchdown pass of the game on a 25-yard pass to Williams. Granado tacked on the extra point, giving the Thunderbirds a commanding 17-3 lead with 9:09 left in the game.
The ensuing kickoff appeared to be a momentum-shifting play as junior Jack Becker picked up the ball on the 1-yard line and went 93 yards all the way to the Heights 6-yard-line. But there was a holding penalty called, shifting the momentum right back to Heights. Seaman was unable to move the ball and was forced to punt with a little over seven minutes left in the game.
Shawnee Heights was able to run the ball with junior Trone Purvis getting the majority of the carries, milking the clock and forcing Seaman to use all of their timeouts. The Thunderbirds were able to convert two third downs into first downs, eventually taking the clock down to 1:12, when Granado kicked another 31-yard field goal to end the scoring.
Junior Trone Purvis carried the load as the lead running back and his coach was elated with his effort. “Trone probably had more carries tonight than he’s had all season as he stepped in for David Wakes (senior starter). Our offensive line paved the way for him and this was a ‘find a way’ game and our kids found a way to win it."
Shawnee Heights will go on the road to Lansing next Friday while Seaman will travel to face Basehor-Linwood.
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS 20, SEAMAN 3
