By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
No. 2-ranked Washburn University volleyball got back to its winning ways on Saturday afternoon, sweeping Northwest Missouri State in a road matchup.
Natalie Hedlund led Washburn with 10 kills in Saturday's 3-0 MIAA sweep at Northwest Missouri. [File photo/TSN]
Washburn (21-2 overall, 10-2 MIAA) battled through a tight first set to win 25-23 before cruising to wins in the next two sets, 25-12 and 25-13, to secure a regular-season series sweep of the Bearcats (8-13, 2-10).
After falling behind 4-1 the Ichabods took control of the first set with a 5-0 run that turned into an 8-1 burst capped off by a kill for Natalie Hedlund.
Northwest Missouri battled back to pull within one and eventually tie the set at 16. That was the only tie the rest of the set with the Bearcats pulling within one while Washburn was at match point before Austin Broadie finished the set with a kill.
A three-point burst for the Ichabods gave them an early advantage in the second set before the lead expanded to seven at 14-7 after Taylor Rottinghaus landed an ace.
It turned into a 6-1 run after Brynee Topolski took a pass from Rottinghaus to the floor to go up 18-8. Washburn hit .333 as a team in the set while holding the Bearcats to just a .029 hitting percentage. Corinna McMullen served an ace to wrap up the second set 25-12 and go up 2-0 in the match.
In the third set a kill by Bella Limback started a 4-0 run that put the Ichabods in front, 11-5. Northwest Missouri pulled back within three at 14-11 before Washburn went on a 7-0 run to push the lead to double figures.
The Ichabods held on down the stretch, winning the final three points to take the set and the match 3-0.
Washburn hit an even .300 in the match with 40 kills while the Bearcats were held to a .055 hitting percentage with 28 kills to 22 errors. The Ichabods led 49-40 in digs as well as 37-25 in assists.
Natalie Hedlund led Washburn with 10 kills while adding five digs and four blocks. Keilah Rivers slashed seven kills while hitting .583 with a team-high 11 digs.
Both setters finished with double-doubles, McMullen with 17 assists and 10 digs while Sydney Conner had 14 assists and 10 scoops.
Kasidy Mohwinkle led the Bearcats with seven kill and seven digs.
The Ichabods stay on the road next weekend facing Nebraska Kearney next Friday at 6 p.m.
