October 9, 2015-Emporia State battled back twice to force a fifth set but could not complete the comeback in a 3-2 loss at Ft. Hays State on Friday night in Hays, Kan. The Hornets fell 25-10, 20-25, 25-16, 23-25, 15-11 to the the Tigers.
BAD START
The Hornets got off to a sluggish start, falling behind 7-0 in the first set with only three of the points off Tiger kills. Emporia State would get within 13-7 before Ft. Hays State closed the set on a 12-3 run.
BETTER SECOND
After never leading in the first set, Emporia State never trailed in the second as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Ft. Hays State would tied the score at 11 and at 12 before a 4-0 run gave the Hornets the lead for good.
ROUGH THIRD
Maintaining the pattern, the Tigers led the entire third set after getting out to a 7-3 lead. Emporia State closed to 21-16 but Ft. Hays State would score the final four points to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
FORCING A FIFTH
The fourth set finally broke the pattern as Emporia State again jumped out to an 8-3 lead, but this time the Tigers came back to take an 18-16 lead. The score was knotted at 22 when the Hornets closed out the set on a 3-1 run to force a fifth and deciding set.
NOT ENOUGH
There were nine ties and four lead changes through the first 22 points of the fifth set. The Tigers scored the final four points of the match to take the biggest lead of the set and win the match 15-11.
THE NUMBERS
Josie Williams had another strong game in the second rotation. She had 15 kills on .306 hitting with four block assists. Shayla Cotman joined her in double figures with 11 kills, six block assists and a solo block. Torri Rupe nearly had a double-double with nine kills and 12 digs while adding four block assists. Kelly Holden had a match high 26 digs while Sydney Hartman had 25 of the Hornets 48 assists.
UP NEXT
The Hornets travel to Kearney, Neb. on Saturday to take on #16 Neb.-Kearney. First serve in the Health & Sports Center is set for 7:00 p.m.
