October 17, 2014-Emporia State battled their way into the seventh five set match of the season before falling 3-2 to Missouri Western on Friday night at White Auditorium. The Hornets were actually plus eight in total points scored in the 25-18, 26-28, 23-25, 25-20, 15-13 loss.
The first set had ten ties before the Hornets finished on a 9-2 run to go up 1-0 in the match. Josie Williams and Courtney Haring both had two kills during run while Williams added a solo block.
Emporia State led 24-20 in the second set only to see Mo. Western fight off four straight set points and take a 25-24 lead. Carly Spicer twice had kills to stave off set point for the Hornets before Sarah Faubel's serve hit the net and fell in for the 28-26 win. Three of the final seven points for the Griffons were scored on service aces.
The Hornets trailed 20-17 in the third set before a 6-2 run capped by a block from Shayla Cotman and Torrie Rupe gave the Hornets a 23-22 lead. The Griffons then scored the final three points to take 25-23 set victory and 2-1 lead in the match.
The fourth set was tied at 15 when Emporia State took the lead for good with a 3-0 run. Spicer gave the Hornets a set point with a kill to make it 24-19 and then forced the fifth set with another kill for the 25-20 win.
Missouri Western had a 13-10 led in the fifth set when Cotman had back to back kills and teamed with Williams for a block to tie the score at 13. The Griffons would score the final two points however for the 15-13 victory.
Spicer ended with 18 kills on .304 hitting with 19 digs and four block assists. Haring had 14 kills on .522 hitting with six blocks, two of which were solo. Cotman had a match high eight blocks with two solos to go with 11 kills. Williams also had a double double with 12 kills and 11 digs. Kelly Holden tied her career high with 25 digs for her eighth match with at least 20 digs in the last nine outings. Kimberly Bell had 30 assists and 14 digs while Sydney Hartman added 25 assists and seven digs.
The Hornets are back in action on Saturday night when they play host to Northwest Missouri. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. in White Auditorium.
NOTES:
Friday was the Hornets annual Dig for the Cure night and over $1400 was raised for the June Bug Cancer Foundation.
