By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
No. 2-ranked Washburn volleyball worked a seventh straight sweep and extended its set winning streak to 21 with a 3-0 takedown of Missouri Southern on Friday night in Whiting Fieldhouse.
Washburn volleyball stretched its winning streak to 21 straight sets in Friday's 3-0 home win over Missouri Southern. [File photo/TSN]
The Ichabods, now 19-1 overall and 8-1 in the MIAA, have a full week off before returning to action facing Emporia State on Friday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m. in Whiting.
Both the first and second sets went long, but both went to Washburn, which posted a 28-26 come-from-behind victory followed by a 27-25 win in the second over the Lions (8-11, 2-6). The third set was not as dramatic, with the Ichabods taking a 25-18 decision to close out the match.
Early in the first set Washburn jumped out to a 5-1 lead after Emery Keebaugh took a pass from Sydney Conner for a kill.
But the next seven points were all scored by Missouri Southern. The lead grew to five points at 15-10 after three more in a row by the visitors.
The Ichabods chipped away, finally tying it on a Kali Henry ace and going in front 18-17 with a Brynne Topolski kill.
A 4-1 run by the Lions put them back in front, 22-20, but Washburn came right back to tie it up. There were four more ties after the 22-22 knot. Finally, kills by Alex Dvorak and Keilah Rivers ended the set at 28-26.
Both sides traded runs to begin the second set, eventually splitting the first 20 points. Missouri Southern went in front 12-10 after a three-point burst and stayed in front over halfway through the set.
A kill by Keebaugh began a five-point rally by the Ichabods to put them in front, 19-16. Washburn led 23-19 before the Lions went on a 5-0 run to go in front and force set point. The Ichabods navigated with two points in response.
After one more tie Dvorak got a kill and then teamed with Austin Broadie on a block to end the set.
In the third set Washburn used a five point burst at the beginning to go in front 10-5. It turned into a 8-1 run after Broadie slammed a kill.
Missouri Southern got within four points after scoring five in a row, but the Ichabod offense didn't let up down the stretch, hitting .375 in the final set to win, 25-18.
As a team the Ichabods hit .244 with 48 kills while Missouri Southern was limited to a .192 hitting percentage and 40 kills. The Lions led 53-52 in digs while Washburn controlled assists, 47-40.
Topolski registered a team-high 10 kills and Keebaugh delivered nine while hitting .412.
Corinna McMullen dished out 22 assists with seven digs and Conner had a double-double with 15 assists and 10 digs. Taylor Rottinghaus led the back row with 18 digs and five assists.
Missouri Southern had three players finish with double-figure kills, led by Alana Moesch's 13.
