HORNET VOLLEYBALL DROPS FOURTH FIVE SET MATCH OF THE SEASON

October 11, 2019-Emporia State went to a fifth set for the fifth time this year in a 3-2 loss at Pittsburg State on Friday night.
 
The Hornets closed on a 10-2 run to take a 25-17 win in the first set.  Aliyah Bernard had two blocks and a kill during the run for Emporia State. 
 
The second set saw the Gorillas use a 10-4 run at the end to turn a 15-14 lead into a 25-18 win to even the match at 1-1.
 
With the score tied at 10 in the third, Emporia State rolled off five straight points in an 8-1 run to take control of the set before winning 25-20 and take a 2-1 lead.
 
The Hornets led 14-12 in the fourth set before Pittsburg State scored eight straight points to take an 18-14 lead.  A Yuchen Du kill pulled Emporia State within 21-18 but the Gorillas scored the final four points to force a fifth set.
 
Neither team took more than a one point lead through the first 15 points of the final set with Pitt State leading 8-7 on the switch.  They would score the next three points after switching sides to go up 11-7 and were able to play even the rest of the set to take a 15-11 win.
 
Yuchen Du led Emporia State with 13 kills on .394 hitting with five digs. She was joined in double figure kills by Jessica Hayes with 12 and Shelby Ebert with 11 kills and 12 digs. Mikayla Simons had nine kills, three solo blocks, two block assists and two service aces for a team high 15.0 points. Shelby Innes and Rylie Fornelli each had 16 digs and Emma Dixon dished a team high 33 assists.
 
Emporia State will travel to Joplin, Mo. to take on Missouri Southern on Saturday afternoon.  First serve is set for 2:00 p.m.

NOTE:
The Hornets are now 1-4 in five set matches on the season.