Volleyball impresses at Arkansas Tech Invitational

TREVOR BEURMAN

After coming out of the Missouri S&T Invitational with only one loss and three wins, the Ichabods repeated similar results in Russellville, Arkansas. With four games under their belts in the Natural State, the Ichabods came out with only one loss and four wins as well.

“I am trying to be patient, we are starting four freshman, five are playing right now, we have a myriad of injuries and just trying to play through them,” said head coach Chris Herron.

The Ichabods four game road trip in Russellville included games against Christian Brothers University, Harding University, Ouachita Baptist University, and the University of Alabama at Huntsville.

Washburn split the first two matches, then won the last two with results of 3-1, 2-3, 3-0, and 3-0, respectively.

“Our freshman are learning every single day and they will continue to get better as time goes on and we are just excited about our progress,” Herron said.

With a loss against Harding University in Arkansas the Chris Herron expressed his feelings about the loss to the Bison.

“Harding is a good team, but they’re not a great team, you know they had their shortcomings but they are older and they are more experienced,” Herron said, “In game five they just did not make the mistakes that we did.”

Even with the loss in Arkansas, Coach Herron is looking to improve his team at every angle.

“We expect to get better, every single day and every single practice, it is kind of a cliché answer, but it is the truth,” Herron said.

Speaking of progress, the volleyball team landed two players on the last two Hy-Vee student athlete of the week selections with Shayla Conner and Allison Sadler, who set themselves on the board with impressive performances.

“Being the student athlete of the week makes me want to work really hard in the gym and set an example for my teammates,” Conner said.

Sadler also shared her thoughts on being selected as a Hy-Vee student athlete of the week.

“I was kind of nervous for where my standing was on the team and so when I heard I got selected it makes me feel really good about myself,” Sadler said. “Right now I just look to improve and progress.”

Up next for Washburn Volleyball is a conference matchup against the University of Nebraska at Kearney Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. 

The Ichabods look to excel in conference play and embark on similar results that they had last season where they finished with a 18-2 conference record and an impressive 28-6 overall record from 2016.