November 14, 2015 - Emporia State defeated Pittsburg State in four sets, 25-17, 23-25, 25-20, 25-16, Saturday night to clinch a spot in the MIAA Tournament.
FIRST SET HITTING
The Hornets earned a .517 hitting percentage in the first set with 16 kills. The set was tied at 9-9 when Emporia State went on a 7-2 run to lead 17-11 off a kill by Emma Benton. The Hornets then finished the set 25-17 on a kill from Josie Williams
SLOWED DOWN SECOND
Pittsburg State had an early 3-0 run in the second to lead, only for the Hornets to answer back with three points of their own to tie it 3-3. The Gorillas took advantage of a 7-3 run to lead 11-6 off an Emporia State attack error. Pittsburg State would lead until a tie at 20-20 from a kill by Julia Joseph. The first set point came at a Gorilla 24-21 advantage, Emporia fighting off two set points until Pittsburg State would end it 25-23 off a Hornet service error.
HORNET'S SET
There were no tied scores or lead changes in the third set, the Hornets keeping the lead the entire set en route to a 25-20 win. Emporia State held the Gorillas to a .045 hitting percentage in the third set.
FOURTH AND FINAL
The fifth and final tie of the fourth set came at 5-5 from a Gorilla kill. The Hornets would take the 5-6 lead from a Kimberly Bell kill to never look back and win the match and set 25-16.
SEEING DOUBLE
Sydney Hartman earned her third double-double match in a row with 31 assists and 13 digs. Shayla Cotman and Josie Williams each earned double figures in kills with 12, Cotman earning a .571 hitting percentage with four block assists, Williams a .321 hitting percentage. Torrie Rupe had nine kills, nine digs, and five block assists on the night. Danika Burton earned nine kills and five block assists, Emma Benton adding another eight kills. Kelly Holden had a match high 25 digs for the Hornets.
UP NEXT
Hornets will play at #1 seeded Central Oklahoma on Tuesday, Nov. 17 for the first round of the MIAA Tournament.
