HORNET VOLLEYBALL TAKES ONE SET FROM 7TH RANKED CENTRAL MISSOURI

September 23, 2021-Emporia State controlled the first set against seventh ranked Central Missouri but could not hold on to the momentum in a 3-1 loss to the Jennies on Thursday night in White Auditorium.
 
With the score tied 3-3 to start the match, the Hornets took advantage of a service error and a block from Dorianne Lebron and Shelby Ebert to go up by two points and they would never trail the rest of the set.  Emporia State took a 13-9 lead on a kill by Ebert and led 15-11 following another service error by the Jennies.  UCM scored the next three points to close within 15-14 but Megan Stretton ended the run with a kill.  Emporia State took their biggest lead of the set at 23-17 on another Ebert kill before settling for the 25-21 win.  Ebert finished the first set with five kills and two block assists while Stretton had three kills on .500 hitting.
 
The Jennies jumped out to a 4-1 lead to start the second set, but the Hornets would not go quietly.  Trailing 9-6 Winny Harris had two kills during a 4-1 run and Orianna Clements tied the score at 10-10 on a kill.  Ebert would give Emporia State a 13-12 lead before the Central went on a 9-0 run to take control of the set.  UCM would go on to even the match at a win apiece with the 25-15 second set win.
 
Central Missouri used an 8-0 run that included five errors by Emporia State to take a 12-4 lead in the third set.  They would lead 20-10 before settling for a 25-17 win and 2-1 advantage in the match.
 
Ebert had two kills to start the fourth set and Emporia State led 3-1 early.  They would push the lead to 6-3 on a UCM service error before the Jennies went on a 7-1 run and took a 10-7 lead. It was still just 14-11 when the Jennies took control with a 5-1 run. After a Stretton kill make it 19-13, UCM scored the final six points to close out the match with a 25-13 win.
 
Shelby Ebert led Emporia State with 12 kills and two block assists but was the only Hornet in double figures.  Megain Stretton finished with seven kills while Orianna Clements had five kills and a block assist.  Rylie Fornelli d a match high 29 digs while Riley Bernskoetter dished a team high 23 assists.
 
After playing three Top Ten teams in seven days, Emporia State will have a week off before the return to action against Central Oklahoma, who is receiving votes in the national poll, on October 1. First serve from White Auditorium is set for 6:00 p.m.