By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
LIBERTY, Mo. -- Washburn University volleyball capped off an undefeated first week of the season with a 3-0 sweep over William Jewell on Saturday to finish off the Kansas City Classic.
Washburn volleyball wrapped up a 3-0 start to the 2024 season with a sweep over William Jewell on Saturday. [Photo courtesy of Washburn Athletics]
It was a consistent effort for Washburn (3-0), with the Ichabods winning each set over the Cardinals (0-4) by at least seven points. WU finished the match with final set scores of 25-15, 25-18 and 25-17.
It was a slow beginning for the Ichabods as William Jewell won the first four points on its home floor.
Washburn responded with five points in a row, taking the lead on a block by Jalyn Stevenson and Alex Dvorak.
Midway through the set a kill from Austin Broadie extended the Washburn lead to six at 16-10. The Cardinals were limited to just a .044 hitting percentage in the first set by the Ichabods. Down the stretch Washburn took four of the final five points to take the set.
Once again it was William Jewell out in front early in the second set. Seven straight points by the Ichabods, which began with a kill from Bella Limback, put the set back in their control at 9-4.
Three times the Cardinals pulled back within three points but each time Washburn had an answer. WU hit .421 as a team in the set, logging 17 kills with just one error.
It was a kill by Emery Keebaugh on a pass from Corinna McMullen that ended the second set.
Each team split the first six points of the third set before William Jewell went up, 7-4. There were a total of nine ties in the final set alone, with the last coming at 16.
A kill from Limback tied the match at 16 and sparked a 9-0 run to bring the Ichabods to match point. Two points later Keilah Rivers finished off the match with a kill, ending the set, 25-17.
Washburn hit .364 as a team with 49 kills to just nine errors. Defensively, they held the Cardinals to .103 hitting with 19 total errors. The Ichabods picked up 47 assists to just 30 from William Jewell. They also out-dug the home team 60-50.
It was another balanced effort offensively for Washburn with six players recording at least four kills.
Limback was the only player in double-digits, finishing with 10 kills while hitting .625 and adding three blocks. Stevenson had nine kills to go along with 18 digs. McMullen also neared a double-double as she tallied a team-high 24 assists with nine digs. Taylor Rottinghaus led all players with 20 digs.
The Ichabods will head west for the Mountaineer Volleyball Classic beginning Friday, September 13, against Western Colorado University.
Cloe Quintana (16) scored Washburn's lone goal in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Maryville. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
WU soccer drops 2-1 decision to Maryville
The Washburn soccer team fell to the Maryville Saints 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at Yager Stadium.
Washburn will hit the road for the first time in 2024 with a trip to Southwest Minnesota State on Sep. 13.
Maryville started off hot with a fifth-minute goal from Ulrika Bredin, but the Ichabods equalized the match just before halftime with a long strike from Cloe Quintana, her first collegiate goal.
At the half, Washburn held a slight lead in shots, taking four to Maryville's three.
Lotte Brands put the Saints on top for good with a 62nd-minute goal.
Despite going down a player and being outshot 9-3 in the half, Maryville was able to hold Washburn off the scoreboard and secure the win.
Ana Muruzabal tallied her first assist of the season for the Ichabods.
Khloe Schuckman and Grace Peterson led the Washburn attack with three shots each.
Hailey Beck played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded two saves.
Elsa Nilson-Hurtig led Maryville in shots with two, while also recording an assist. Agnes Vilen made five saves in goal for the Saints.
