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Gathered in a circle, the team shares a moment of unity and anticipation, ready to bring their best to the volleyball court. The pre-game huddle helped them focus their energy and strategy.
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Austin Broadie, senior middle hitter, and Taylor Rottinghaus, defensive specialist/Libero, smile during a pause in play. They had just celebrated after scoring a point.
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Washburn prepares for a block against Northwest Missouri State. The Ichabods had pressured the Bearcats at the net throughout the set.
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Bella Limback, senior outside hitter, signals for coverage as the ball stays in play. The Ichabods had scrambled to keep the rally alive.
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The team listens intently as coaches deliver instructions during a timeout. They gathered near the sideline to regroup and strategize after a tightly contested set.
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Washburn players come together to celebrate after a successful point during the match. The team showed high energy and strong camaraderie following a key rally win.
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Brynne Topolski, sophomore outside hitter, jumps to spike the ball over two blockers from the opposing team. The point resulted in a powerful kill that energized the crowd and extended the Ichabods’ lead.
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Washburn and Northwest Missouri State players battle at the net as the ball hovers above. The Ichabods and Bearcats exchanged momentum throughout the match.
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The Washburn volleyball team lines up to shake hands with Northwest Missouri State after the match. The Ichabods had just celebrated a hard-fought victory.
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During a timeout, Washburn players gather closely around coaches. The break allowed the Ichabods to refocus and get ready for the challenge ahead.
On Sept. 26, the Washburn University volleyball team added another win to their season record by a sweep against Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats.
The match was marked by Washburn’s strong offense, showing as the team totaled 63 kills and 58 assists through coordinated play. From start to finish, the team worked together by making quick plays and keeping their opponents on their toes.
“We passed the ball so well. Tonight, we hit the ball really, really well. The ball control was good today,” said Chris Herron, volleyball head coach. “You put pressure on practice. You practice pressure. So, when the game comes, you’ve already done that.”
Herron was glad to add another win to the column. The players’ abilities to keep calm and focused helped their team come out on top in the game.
“Coming out after the first set, we knew that they [Northwest Missouri State] were going to come out and play a lot harder, so just keeping our level of intensity is something that we need to work on,” said Austin Broadie, senior middle hitter.
Focus and energy were sustained by the team, enabling them to meet the opponent’s push and keep the game in their favor.
“It’s our first conference match. Everyone’s super excited, and the fact that we get to play at home, the energy was amazing … We’re looking forward to getting another one,” said Natalie Hedlund, junior outside hitter and middle blocker.
The energy from the first conference match was undeniable, with the team delivering a strong and cohesive performance and preparing to carry their intensity into the next game.
On Oct. 2 at 6 p.m., the Ichabods will face Pittsburg State University in what promises to be a highly engaging and competitive match showcasing skill, teamwork and determination.
Edited by Anushma Dahal and Anson Appelhanz
