TOPEKA, Kan. — No. 2-ranked Washburn defeated Missouri Southern State University 3-0 in a tightly contested match at Lee Arena on Friday evening, with set scores of 28-26, 27-25, and 25-18. The Lions recorded a total of 40 assists and 53 digs in the match.
Missouri Southern State holds an 8-11 overall record and is 2-6 in Mid-America Intercollegiate play. Washburn stands at 19-1 overall and has an 8-1 record in the same conference.
Alana Moesch led the performance with 13 kills and totaled 17 points, contributing significantly to the team's offensive output.
Fernanda Merancio recorded 11 kills with a .417 hitting percentage, adding 12.5 points to her tally.
Hannah Allick distributed 18 assists and added 10 digs, showing her dual capabilities on both offense and defense.
Addysen Alvis contributed effectively with 11 kills and 11.5 points, rounding out a solid effort by the team.
The match began with the Lions facing a quick challenge as Washburn initially surged to a 4-1 lead. However, the Lions responded with a series of impactful plays. Merancio and Alvis recorded crucial kills, with Alvis notably contributing multiple times to level the score at 5-5.
Mataiya Barber's service aces further propelled the Lions into a 9-5 lead, marking a significant momentum shift.
As the set progressed, the Lions maintained a narrow advantage, with Merancio and Alvis continuing to deliver effective attacks. Despite Washburn's efforts to close the gap, the Lions managed to keep the score tight. The teams traded points in a tense exchange, with Alvis securing another key kill to keep the score tied at 24-24. Ultimately, the set extended into extra points, but Washburn edged out with a 28-26 victory, concluding the first set.
The Lions found themselves in a back-and-forth battle during the second set against Washburn. The set began with MSSU taking an early advantage through consecutive service aces from
Alana Moesch, establishing a 3-1 lead. However, Washburn responded by capitalizing on a series of attack errors from the Lions, pulling ahead slightly at 5-4.
Key contributions from Merancio and Moesch helped the Lions regain the lead multiple times throughout the set. A strong block by
Ella Breazeale and Alvis tied the score at 5-5, and a late surge, including a service ace by Allick, brought MSSU back from a 19-23 deficit to a 24-23 advantage. Despite the Lions' efforts and a kill from Moesch, Washburn managed to close out the set with a 27-25 win, concluding with a decisive block.
The Lions began the third set with an early back-and-forth exchange, as Merancio and Alvis delivered key kills to keep the score tied at 2-2. Despite their efforts, Washburn capitalized on a series of attack errors and a service ace to build a 10-5 advantage.
Tori Hamilton and
Anny Montano responded with notable kills, but Washburn maintained momentum with strong plays by Keilah Rivers and Austin Broadie, extending their lead to 17-8.
As the set progressed, the Lions mounted a comeback attempt, highlighted by a string of errors forced by
Reagan Ashby's serves, trimming the deficit to 20-16. However, Washburn regained control with a service ace and a final kill from Broadie, securing the set at 25-18.
