The Washburn volleyball team has lost all three of its losses this season by the score of 3-2. And in the next two and a half weeks, the Lady Blues will have a chance to get even with each of those teams, beginning with Nebraska-Omaha at 7 p.m. tonight in Lee Arena and Central Missouri at 7 p.m. on Friday in Warrensburg, Mo.

“We have six matches left and three of them are against teams that beat us in five games,” said coach Chris Herron. “We’re trying to, and I want to make sure we clarify this word, avenge the losses. We’re not looking for revenge necessarily. Both the teams we play this week are exceptional teams. Both are having great years.”

The Lady Blues (26-3, 10-3) currently sit at third in conference behind first place Central Missouri (12-1, 26-3) and second place Emporia State, who Washburn plays in its final regular season match of the year at 7 p.m. on Nov. 13 in Lee Arena.

“We had a good week last week,” said Herron. “But it’s like I tell the team all the time, you’re only as good as your next one.

“You’re trying to remain healthy and hopefully your team’s peaking at the end of the year and playing your best volleyball.”

The last time the Lady Blues faced the Mavericks and Jennies, both matches went down to the wire, and Herron said in the tight matches, it’s hard to pinpoint things his team should’ve done differently.

“When both of those matches are that close,” he said, “there’s always some things you could’ve done differently. And so could they.

“Those teams have great players and are coached well. So I just look at it as a challenging week.”

Junior digger Molly Smith said as the season is winding down, the need to win becomes more evident with the team’s attitude.

“We definitely feel the pressure,” said Smith. “And I think the mood at practice being around everybody is just really excited. We want to be able to prove ourselves and finish the season strong because last year we didn’t finish the season as strong as we would’ve liked.

“So I think we have a lot to prove to ourselves and everyone that we can beat these top teams. We’re real excited for the chance to get to play these teams.”