TOPEKA, Kan. – The No. 24 MoWest volleyball team (9-4, 1-1 MIAA) earned its first MIAA win of the season in a matchup against the No. 7 Washburn Ichabods (12-1, 1-1 MIAA), snapping Washburn's 12-match winning streak to start the year.

MoWest took the opening set 25–23. Washburn answered by winning the second set 25–19. The Griffons regained control in the third set with a 25–20 victory and then closed out the match by claiming the fourth set 25–19.

The Griffons have now won six of the last seven contests against the Ichabods since Jessica Fey's first year as head coach in 2022.

In the opening set, the Griffons and Ichabods traded points early, sitting tied at 8-8. Washburn then strung together a five-point run to grab a 13-8 lead. The teams continued to exchange points with the Ichabods holding a 16-12 advantage. MWSU answered in a big way, putting together scoring runs to flip the momentum and move ahead 19-17. Behind strong play from Noelle Sutcliffe and Emily Loy, who combined for 10 kills in the set, the Griffons closed it out and took set one, 25-23.

Washburn built an 8-2 lead in the second set. The Ichabods later stretched it to 20-12, but the Griffons answered with three straight points to make it 20-15. Washburn held on from there to take the set, 25-19.

The Griffons started strong in set three, building a 12-6 lead. Washburn battled back to close the gap at 13-11, but MWSU regained the momentum with four straight kills to extend the lead to 17-11. The Ichabods kept it close, pulling within 18-16, but the Griffons held firm and finished off the set with a 25-20 win. Taylor Russell powered the offense in the third set, recording seven kills to lead the way.

MWSU carried its momentum into the fourth set, jumping out to a 9-4 lead. Washburn responded with six straight points to take a 10-9 advantage. The teams traded points from there, with the Ichabods still holding a narrow 15-14 edge. The Griffons then surged, outscoring Washburn 7-1 to build a 21-16 cushion. From there, MWSU stayed in control and closed out the set with a 25-19 win.

Russell led the Griffons with 18 kills on a .444 hitting percentage, while Sutcliffe added 15 kills and Loy chipped in 13. Holly Heldt recorded 9 kills and contributed 11 digs on defense. She also led the Griffons with three service aces in the match. Anna Weberg anchored the back row with a match-high 21 digs. Katelyn Diani-O'Day directed the offense with 27 assists, helping command the Griffons' attack.

What's Next
The Griffons return to the MWSU Fieldhouse for Pink Weekend and Homecoming Weekend next week, while also celebrating 50 years of Women's Sports at MoWest.

The home-opening series begins Friday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m. against Nebraska–Kearney and wraps up Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. against Fort Hays State.