First-year Anya Mikhailenko sets the ball to her
teammate. (Emma Margraf | Contributing Photographer)

On Sunday, Oct. 25, the No. 4 WashU volleyball team swept the University of Rochester and defeated No. 7 Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in four sets at the third University Athletic Association (UAA) Round Robin. The Bears improved their record to 18-3 overall and 6-1 in conference play, securing the No. 2 seed in the upcoming UAA championship and positioning themselves for another deep postseason run after reaching the NCAA Division III Sweet 16 last season. 

University of Rochester, 3-0 (25-10, 25-11, 25-21) 

In their first game of the weekend, the Bears maintained their longstanding dominance over the Yellowjackets, extending a winning streak of 24 games that dates back to 2007. 

WashU controlled the game early on, opening with a 10-0 run and holding the Yellowjackets to just five kills and a -.179 hitting percentage in the first set. 

“I thought we did a great job of serving and putting pressure on their passers,” Head Coach Vanessa Walby wrote in a statement to Student Life. 

WashU’s defensive pressure proved to be the backbone of the set as they continued to pull ahead. The Bears capped the set 25-10 off of a block from senior right-side hitter Leah Oyewole and sophomore middle blocker Nia Jones. 

The momentum continued into the second set, as the Bears did not give up the lead once. After building to a 19-7 advantage, WashU cruised to the 25-point finish line, with senior right-side hitter Naya Ohuabunwa capping the set off with a kill. 

Rochester offered a stronger challenge in the third set, going on an 8-1 run to take a narrow lead of 11-10. However, the Yellowjackets’ hope for a potential fourth set was shattered as WashU strung together a series of runs to regain the advantage 25-21 and close out the sweep. 

No. 5 Carnegie Mellon University, 3-1 (25-19, 25-22, 22-25, 27-25)

The Bears faced a tougher test against No. 5 CMU, with the matchup against a higher-ranked program carrying significant postseason implications. Throughout the game, WashU was forced to overcome multiple deficits, demonstrating their ability to play from behind. 

Both teams fought hard to find their footing in a closely contested opening set. Following a fierce back and forth battle, WashU broke away with a 5-0 run and sealed the win 25-19 with a service ace from first-year middle blocker Emma McGough. 

The second set proved to be more challenging as the Tartans jumped out to an early lead. CMU’s 6-point deficit, however, would not shake the Bears’ composure, as WashU responded with multiple runs to swing the momentum back in their favor. 

“This season our players have had a gritty mindset,” Walby wrote. “They really work to use pressure as a source of fuel instead of something that weighs them down. They just really play hard for each other in those moments.”

Sophomore outside hitter Abby Krause and first-year setter Anya Mikhailenko delivered back-to-back kills to seal the 25-22 second set win, WashU was one step closer to victory. 

In the third set, CMU mounted a late comeback, mirroring WashU’s earlier resilience. The Tartans won 5 of the final 6 points to claim the set 25-22. 

The Bears rallied in the fourth set to close out the win, overcoming a late tie at 23-23 and closing the set out 27-25. 

The Bears outperformed CMU in kills, blocks, assists, and digs — underlining the team’s overall dominance against a top-five opponent. Oyewole led WashU’s offense with 19 kills, while McGough followed with 14 kills. Meanwhile, Mikhailenko orchestrated the attack with 47 assists and 11 digs, earning her 14th double-double of the season. 

The Bears will dress in their uniforms instead of Halloween costumes as they compete in the Illinois Wesleyan Classic on Saturday, Oct. 31. There, WashU will take on two tough opponents: No. 14 University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and No. 1 Illinois Wesleyan University. 

“We’ve been intentional about building a tough schedule, and I think it’s prepared us well for this point in the season,” Walby wrote. “Each match has challenged us in different ways and helped us grow, with the goal of being ready for whatever comes next. We stay focused on one match at a time and getting better along the way.”