Women's Volleyball | 9/28/2012 9:37:00 PM
Sept. 28, 2012 - The Emporia State volleyball team gave the top-ranked team in the nation all it could handle in a 27-29, 25-12, 23-25, 26-24, 15-4 loss to Nebraska- Kearney at the Health and Sport Center in Kearney, Neb. The Hornets are now 9-5, 3-2 MIAA while the Lopers remain unbeaten at 13-0, 4-0 MIAA.
Emporia State is the first team to win two sets against Nebraska- Kearney this season and the first to accomplish the feat since Colorado School of Mines defeated UNK in five sets at the Central Region Tournament on Nov. 17 of last season.
Paige Vanderpool led the Hornets with 18 kills and added 17 digs to complete the double-double. The Hornets out blocked the Lopers 14-8, led by Courtney Haring's nine total blocks (one solo, eight assists). Morgan Buckner contributed six block assists to go with 14 kills and seven digs, while Carly Spicer joined Vanderpool with five block assists. Meg Schwartz led the Emporia State defense with 29 digs Brianna Kaiser added 17. Katie Deutschmann and Sydney Hartman assisted on 30 and 22 kills respectively.
Emporia State got a quick start in set one and jumped out to an 11-6 lead. Kaiser served back to back aces to extend the Hornet lead to 16-10. The Lopers fought back to make the score 25-25, meaning extra points would decide the set. Vanderpool and Spicer blocked Katie Sokolowski for the final point after Vanderpool kill gave the Hornets a 28-27 advantage.
The Lopers evened the match with a 25-12 win in set two, and did well to avoid the Emporia State blockers.
The Hornets led 21-14 in set three before the top-ranked Lopers rallied all the way back to come within one at 24-23. Vanderpool scored the final point moments after her previous attempt was blocked by UNK's Steph Brand.
UNK controlled most the fourth set, leading by 18-10 at one point. The Hornets instigated a furious rally and scored six straight points to cut the lead to 18-16, prompting UNK to use two timeouts. The Hornets continue to rally, tieing the score at 24-24. The Lopers were able to hold off the rally and earn a 26-24 win in set four.
The Lopers got off to a fast start in set five, jumping out to a quick 4-1 lead and never trailed, hitting efficiently to take the set 15-4.
Emporia State travels to Fort Hays State tomorrow to take on the Tigers at 3 p.m. in Hays, Kan.
