By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
No. 17-ranked Washburn University volleyball will open its 2023 home schedule with four matches over three days in the 2023 Washburn Invitational.
The Ichabods will play their home opener at 3 p.m. Thursday against Christian Brothers, coached by former Seaman standout and Washburn Hall of Famer Bre Lewis.
Junior Jalyn Stevenson (10), a first-team All-MIAA pick last season, leads No. 17-ranked Washburn into this weekend's Washburn Invitational, beginning with a 3 p.m. match on Thursday against Christian Brothers at Lee Arena. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
On Friday Washburn plays Midwestern State at 11:30 a.m. and Oklahoma Baptist at 5 p.m. before finishing the tournament at 2 p.m. Saturday against Harding.
"This weekend's going to be a great test,'' Washburn coach Chris Herron said.
The Ichabods began the season with a 2-1 showing at the Florida Southern College Volleyball Classic.
Washburn began the Florida trip a 3-2 win over Flagler College on Friday afternoon by the set scores of 25-23, 25-19, 25-27, 25-27 and 15-11.
On Friday evening the Ichabods were defeated by Florida Southern College (25-18, 25-23, 25-23) before bouncing back Saturday to knock off No. 6-ranked Barry in three sets (25-20, 25-15, 26-24).
"It was down, just like you would kind of expect that first weekend to be,'' Herron said.
Jalyn Stevenson reached the 20 kill mark for the second time in her career against Flagler as she knocked down 20 kills at a .286 clip and recorded a double-double with 17 digs.
Rylee Unruh began the tournament with 13 kills and 16 digs against Flagler and ended it by setting the Washburn program record with eight aces in the win over Barry. In that match Unruh also knocked down a team-high 12 kills with six digs and four assisted blocks.
Corinna McMullen also notched a double-double against Flagler, assisting on 30 kills and registering 15 digs.
Rachel Schwensen knocked down 14 kills in 31 attacks with only two errors on Friday against Flagler to finish hitting .387 in the match. She also assisted on two blocks and made one solo.
Stevenson leads Washburn with 36 kills on the year (3.27 per set) while hitting .181. She is tied for second on the team with 30 digs and has made 98 receptions with only one error.
Former Shawnee Heights standout Taylor Rottinghaus, a true freshman, leads Washburn with 32 digs (4.57 per set) and has no errors on 23 total receptions.
This week's Washburn Invitational will include 16 total matches from Thursday through Saturday involving eight schools.
The Ichabods' match against Christian Brothers will be the lone Thursday match while eight total matches will be played on Friday with two courts playing at once.
Seven matches will be held on Saturday.
Of the eight teams paricipating, three come from the MIAA (Washburn, Northwest Missouri, Missouri Western), two from the GAC (Oklahoma Baptist, Harding), one from the GSC (Christian Brothers), another from the LSC (Midwestern State) and one from the GLVC (William Jewell).
The Ichabods were picked to finish fourth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll just behind Central Oklahoma and one spot ahead of Central Missouri.
Washburn remained No. 17 in the Week 1 AVCA Coaches Poll The Ichabods recieved a total of 380 points in the poll, up from 374 the week before.
The Washburn Invitational will conclude the non-conference schedule for Washburn.
Christian Brothers is 1-3 this fall after going 4-22 last season.
Alma Solis leads Christian Brothers with 29 kills and is hitting .188 while Sarah Allyn Thornell has 111 assists on the year (8.54 per set) and 40 digs.
Midwestern State is 2-2 on the year and went 7-22 overall last season
Riley Rabedaux has 47 kills on the year to pace the Mustangs and hitting .342. Alayna Gurrero has 115 assists on the year and has 38 digs.
Oklahoma Baptist is 1-3 on the young season after a 19-11 record last season.
Jill Leslie has 30 kills on the year and is hitting .319 to lead the Bison in both categories.
Maci Langford has made 60 digs to lead OBU and has a .949 reception percentage.
Harding is 4-0 on the year after going 30-2 a year ago. The Bison lost in the first round of the NCAA Central Region Tournament.
Chloe Ingersoll leads the Bison with 30 kills while hitting .157. She is second on the team with 39 digs (3.25 per set).
Washburn opens up MIAA play next week, hosting Nebraska-Kearney at 6 p.m. on Sept. 15 and Fort Hays State at 6 p.m. on Sept. 16.
