EMPORIA STATE FALLS IN FOUR SETS TO #15 NORTHWEST MISSOURI

October 15, 2022 - Emporia State state traveled to Northwest Missouri as they fell in four sets against the #15 Bearcats.

The Hornets jumped in front of the Bearcats early in the first set, taking a 5-2 lead. Northwest Missouri regained an 11-8 lead following a 9-3 run. After the two teams traded points, the Bearcats led 14-12 before the Hornets rattled off seven straight points, including four kills and three straight from Zuzanna Buchnajzer. Northwest Missouri worked to trim the Hornet lead as they rallied to cut the deficit to just two points before Emporia State finished the set 25-22 to take a 1-0 lead in the match. 

Emporia State struggled to retain their momentum as the Bearcats pulled together multiple scoring runs in the second set. After the Hornets and Bearcats traded points to tie the set 4-4 early on, Northwest Missouri scored six straight and 15 of the next 18 points to open a 19-7 lead over Emporia State. The Hornets were unable to rally back as the Bearcats took the second set 25-11 to even the match. 

In the third set, Emporia State responded early on. Following three straight points from Northwest Missouri to begin the set, the Hornets scored five straight points including another trio of kills from Zuzanna Buchnajzer as Emporia State took a 5-3 lead. The Bearcats were not held back for long as they rallied to regain the lead by scoring four straight points. After the Hornets cut the deficit to 8-7, the Bearcats again went on a large run as they scored 16 of the next 19 points to take a 24-10. The Hornets scored two more points before Northwest Missouri capped the third set 25-12 to take a 2-1 lead in the match. 

The Hornets were able to keep the fourth set tight in the early going before the Bearcats recorded another large scoring run. With the Hornets trailing 6-4, Northwest Missouri recorded a 12-3 run as they opened an 18-7 lead to take control of the set. Emporia State was able to slow down the Bearcats towards the end of the set as Northwest Missouri was able to close out the fourth set 25-11 to take the match 3-1 over the Hornets. 

Zuzanna Buchnajzer led the all players with 14 kills in the match which is also a career-high for Buchnajzer. Winny Harris, Ainslee Stepp, and Leah Mach each recorded six kills for the Hornets. Riley Bernskoetter tallied 20 assists in the match. Shelby Ebert led the way with 19 digs and three service aces. 

Emporia State will travel to Washburn on Tuesday, October 18 for the second edition of the Turnpike Tussle this season. The match is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. from Lee Arena in Topeka.