EMPORIA STATE VOLLEYBALL WINNING STREAK ENDS WITH 3-1 LOSS AT MISSOURI WESTERN

October 15, 2021-For the second straight match Emporia State fell behind 2-0 but this time they could not complete the comeback in a 25-17, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22 loss at Missouri Western on Friday night in St. Joseph, Mo.
 
The Hornets led 7-6 in the first set when the Griffons used a 9-2 run to take a 15-9 lead.  Emporia State would close to with 18-15 but that was as close as they would get in the 25-17 loss.
 
The second set had 12 ties and seven lead changes before Missouri Western pulled out a 25-20 win.  The last tie came at 16-16 when the Griffons went on a 5-1 run to take control.
 
The Hornets used a 6-0 run to turn a one point deficit into a 23-18 lead in the third set.  Stretton's fifth kill of the set would give Emporia State a 25-22 win and force a fourth set.
 
The final set was a game of runs.  Emporia State led 6-4 when Missouri Western went on a 7-1 run to take an 11-7 lead.  Trailing 13-10 the Hornets scored the next three points to tie the set.  At 15-15 the Griffons used 4-1 run to take a 20-16 lead. A 6-3 run got ESU back within a point but scored the final two points to take the 25-22 win.
 
Megan Stretton had 15 kills and 14 digs to lead the Hornets. It is the fourth straight double-double for the freshman. Mykala Simons had 11 kills on .455 hitting with two solo blocks.  Riley Bernskoetter had a career high 43 assists while Rylie Fornelli dug 31 balls, her second straight match with at least 30 digs.
 
The Hornets are back on the road on Sunday when they start a string of four straight matches against nationally ranked teams at #9 Northwest Missouri.  First serve from Hughes Fieldhouse in Maryville, Mo. is set for 3:00 p.m.