The Washburn Ichabods played against the Missouri Southern State University Lions in their last regular season volleyball game. This was the second time Washburn had played them. Last game, they won against the Lions in the fifth set. This time, the Ichabods shut them down and didn’t let them win a single set.

The Ichabods started the first set strong and focused knowing their opponents could give them a hard time. Washburn gained the lead and was able to make a nine point lead, a large gap between them and the Lions. Number nine, Erica Montgomery, was able to score multiple points for her team by slamming the ball into an opponent, finding the perfect spot to target and hitting it in between the defense. Washburn won the first set 25-15 against the Lions. 

During the second set the Ichabods were having a hard time staying ahead. With the Lions constantly at their throats, the second set could have gone either way. Then Kelsey Gordon was able to find a spot in the back right of the court that pushed the Ichabods ahead. Toward the end the Ichabods earned a large lead and finished the set off with a 25-18 score set. 

Washburn was able to get a few easy points from the Lion’s service and ball handling errors during the third set. Even with the errors, the Lions were able to continue tailing behind by just a point or two. The Ichabods gained and kept the lead near the end with a score of 25-19. Washburn won in three sets. In their previous game against the Lions they won with five sets. 

Montgomery, a senior nursing major who plays outside hitter, enjoyed the match against the Lions, but is sad to eventually say goodbye to her beloved team. 

“It was a good win for us. Last week at home for me, especially as a senior, is really sad, but it was really good to go out with a bang and beat both teams,” said Montgomery.

Gordon is a biology and environmental biology major who plays as a middle blocker for her team. Gordon enjoys winning but knows that it’s never the end to hard work. Like most teams, there is always room for improvement, but a win is still great for the team.

“We played well, I think we have room for improvement, we always do, but I am very satisfied with how we played today,” said Gordon.

Edited by Jessica Galvin, Adam White, Brianna Smith