HORNET VOLLEYBALL DROPS FIVE SETTER AT FORT HAYS STATE

September 21, 2019-Emporia State got a career high 14 kills from Orianna Clements but it was not enough as Fort Hays State took a five set victory over the Hornets 22-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-13, 15-6 in Hays on Saturday evening.
 
The Hornets jumped out to a 3-0 lead to start the match and that would be the biggest margin by either team in the first set.  With the scored tied at 22-22 Emporia State got back to back kills by Yuchen Du and Aliyah Bernard to force set point. Bernard and Emma Dixon then combined for the set winning block to give the Hornets a 25-22 win.
 
The Tigers used a 6-0 run, fueled by three straight kills from Delaney Humm, to turn a two point deficit into an 11-7 lead in the second set. A Clements kill followed by two Tiger attack errors pulled the Hornets within 14-13 before FHSU rattled off four straight points to take an 18-13 lead. Back to back kills from Clements got Emporia State to within three points but Fort Hays scored the final two for a 25-20 win to even the match.
 
The third set saw Emporia State jump out to an 8-2 lead and still hold a 16-11 lead after 27 points. Fort Hays then went on a 9-2 run to take a 20-18 lead on a service ace.  The Hornets responded with five consecutive points, including back to back kills by Clements and capped by a Yuchen Du solo block, to take a 23-20 lead. The Tigers closed to within 23-22 before the Hornets closed it out for 25-22 win and 2-1 match lead.
 
The Hornets led 8-5 in the fourth set when the Tigers went on a 16-2 run to take a 21-10 lead. The two teams basically traded points the rest of the set as Fort Hays State claimed a 25-13 win to force a fifth set.
 
In the fifth set the Tigers jumped out to a 4-1 lead and never looked back on the way to a 15-6 match clinching victory.
 
Orianna Clements was the only Hornet with double figure kills, finishing with a career high 14 on 33 attempts.  Aliyah Bernard had nine kills and seven block assists for the Hornets. Shelby Innes had 17 digs while Emma Dixon had a team high 29 assists while Riley Bernskoetter had 12 assists.
 
The Hornets are back in action on Tuesday, September 24 against #3 Washburn. First serve of the Turnpike Tussle from White Auditorium is set for 6:00 p.m.