September 9, 2022 - Emporia State opened the MIAA schedule from White Auditorium against #7 ranked Nebraska-Kearney. The Hornets fell in three sets to the Lopers in their home opener.
In the first set, Nebraska-Kearney took an early 9-3 lead after six consecutive points to force an Emporia State timeout. The Hornets were unable to answer back to the Loper run as Nebraska-Kearney expanded on their opening run to take the first set 25-11 over Emporia State.
The second set began with the Hornets and Lopers trading the first eight points before Nebraska-Kearney scored 10 of the next 12 points to open a 14-6 lead halfway through the set. The Hornets limited the Lopers from growing their lead for the remainder of the set but were unable to trim the deficit and fell 25-16 to give the seventh-ranked Lopers a 2-0 advantage in the match.
Emporia State started the third set by battling the Lopers through the beginning of the set and held an 11-10 lead over Nebraska-Kearney. The Lopers responded to the Hornet lead with a 15-4 run to close out the set 25-15 and take the match 3-0 over the Hornets.
Shelby Ebert led the way for Emporia State with 10 kills with
Orianna Clements and
Zuzanna Buchnajzer each recording seven in the match.
Ainslee Stepp and
Riley Bernskoetter both reached double-digit assists with 12 and 10 respectively. In defense,
Megan Stretton recorded 10 digs.
Emporia State will return to the court in White Auditorium on Saturday afternoon against Fort Hays State. The match is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.
