September 8, 2017-The Emporia State volleyball team ran their winning streak to three matches as they swept Friday's action at the SBU Invitational in Bolivar, Mo. The Hornets defeated Adams State 3-1 and swept the host Bearcats 3-0. Yuchen Du had an outstanding day for Emporia State as she combined for 38 kills on .515 hitting with 37 assists and 20 digs in the two matches.
The Hornets finished the first set against the Grizzlies on a 10-2 run to take a 1-0 lead with a 25-17 victory. Tatum Graves had a huge first set getting six kills on seven attempts in the opening frame. Adams State was able to sneak out a 26-24 win to even the match after two sets. Emporia State closed out the third set much like the first, ending on a 9-2 run to win 25-21 and take a 2-1 match lead. The Hornets then closed out the match with a 7-1 run to take a 25-22 victory in the fourth set. Du recorded her second triple-double of the season with career highs of 23 kills, 23 assists and 12 digs in the four set match. Graves added 17 kills on .552 hitting with two blocks for the Hornets while Allie Maloney added 18 digs. Emma Dixon had 32 assists as the Hornets hit .340 as a team.
In the nightcap, Emporia State never trailed by more than two points in the match as they swept Southwest Baptist in a non-conference meeting. The Hornets won the first set 25-17, took a 25-19 win in set two and closed the match with a 25-13 victory in the third. Du again led Emporia State with 15 kills on .519 hitting with four block assists, 14 assists and eight digs.
The Hornets will play Oklahoma Baptist and Ft. Lewis on Saturday to wrap up the SBU Invitational.
