September 30, 2022 - Emporia State fell in three sets to Pittsburg State on Friday night in a road MIAA matchup.
The first set of the match proved to be the most contested as both teams put together runs as the lead changed hands on multiple occasions. Emporia State scored three of the first four points of the set as they eventually claimed their largest advantage of the set with an 11-7 lead halfway through the set. Pittsburg State responded with eight of the next nine points to open a 15-12 lead over the Hornets. Following an Emporia State timeout, the Hornets went on an 8-2 run which included three kills from
Zuzanna Buchnajzer as Emporia State reclaimed the lead 20-17 over Pittsburg State. Pittsburg State rallied one final time to take a 24-22 lead as they were one point from taking the set. The Hornets were able to hold off two set points before the Gorillas eventually took the first set 27-25.
Early in the second set, Pittsburg State held a 5-4 lead before the Hornets scored nine of the next 11 points as they led 13-7 over the Gorillas for their largest lead of the night. Pittsburg State answered the 9-2 Emporia State run with one of their own to reclaim the lead 16-15. The scoring runs continued to add up as the Hornets went on a 5-2 run to take a 20-18 lead which forced a Pittsburg State timeout. Following the timeout, the Gorillas scored five straight points and the Hornets were unable to rally back as the Gorillas took a 2-0 lead in the match.
The third set started in similar fashion as both teams traded points early on. Emporia State held a 13-12 lead halfway through the third set before Pittsburg State scored seven straight points to open a six point advantage. The Hornets would close the gap to three points before the Gorillas scored four straight to clinch the third set 25-18 and the match 3-0 over Emporia State.
Leah Mach led the Hornets with 12 kills in the match while
Megan Stretton recorded nine of her own.
Zuzanna Buchnajzer also added nine kills while hiting .375 in attack.
Ainslee Stepp recorded 14 assists while
Riley Bernskoetter added 13 in the match.
Shelby Ebert led the Hornets with 18 digs in defense while
Winny Harris had three blocks for Emporia State.
Emporia State will be back in action on Saturday, October 1 as they travel to Joplin, Missouri for a matchup against Missouri Southern. The Hornets and Lions are scheduled to begin their match at 3:00 p.m.
