November 5, 2021 – Emporia State traveled to Joplin, Missouri to take on Missouri Southern on Friday night. The Hornets fell to the Lions in four sets 3-1.
The first set was all Emporia State after early points were traded between the two teams. The Hornets held a 12-9 lead over the Lions midway through the set before rattling off seven straight points to take a 19-9 lead. Emporia State went on to win the first set 25-14.
In the second set, things become much more contested between the Hornets and the Lions. The set included thirteen ties and eight lead changes. The Hornets led early 6-5 before the Lions rallied to hold a 10-8 lead. Emporia State then scored five out of six to take a 13-11 lead. Eight points later, Missouri Southern had a 17-15 lead. Emporia State rallied one final time in the set to take a 23-21 lead near the end of the set. The Lions responded by scoring five out of six and claimed the second set 26-24 over the Hornets.
The third set was more of the same between the two teams with several lead changes during the set. Emporia State held another late lead in the set when they had a 19-18 advantage over Missouri Southern. Similar to the second set, the Lions had a late push and took the set 25-22 to take a 2-1 lead over the Hornets in the match.
In the fourth set, the Hornets fell behind 7-4 and four points later 10-6. Unlike the previous two sets, Emporia State was unable to climb back into the set as Missouri Southern opened a 18-11 lead. Despite playing even the remainder of the set, it would not be enough as the Lions won the fourth set 25-18 and defeated the Hornets 3-1 on the night.
Two Hornets reached double-digit kills as
Orianna Clements led the way with 11 and
Leah Mach followed closely behind with 10 of her own.
Dorianne Lebron had eight kills with a .333 hitting percentage and added 4 blocks for Emporia State.
Ainslee Stepp and
Riley Bernskoetter totaled 39 assists on the night with 24 and 15 respectively.
Rylie Fornelli led the defense with 25 digs.
The Hornets return to action Saturday night as they travel to Pittsburg State to take on the Gorillas. The match is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.
