October 21, 2023 – Emporia State Volleyball came up just short against Central Missouri as the Hornets fell in five sets at White Auditorium on Saturday afternoon.
Central Missouri gained early control over Emporia State in the first set as the Jennies jumped out to a 7-2 lead over the Hornets. Emporia State was able to slow the Central Missouri momentum as they trimmed the deficit to 11-10 midway through the set. Despite the rally, the Hornets were unable to rally further and take a lead in the set as Central Missouri pulled away and took the first set 25-18.
Set two began with both teams trading early points before Emporia State held an 11-9 advantage midway through the second. From this point, the Hornets built on their lead with their largest cushion coming with a 22-14 lead over the Jennies on their way to closing out the set 25-19 and knotting up the match at 1-1.
The third set included seven lead changes and neither team led by more than four points throughout the third. Emporia State was in possession of their largest lead in the set as they led Central Missouri 23-19. Following back-to-back points from the Jennies, Emporia scored to take a 24-21 and hold set point over the Jennies. The Hornets were unable to close out Central Missouri as the visitors scored five consecutive points to steal the set 26-24 and take a 2-1 lead over the Hornets.
Emporia State took an early 10-5 lead in the fourth set but later in the set were locked in a tight battle late in the set as Central Missouri led 19-18. The Hornets rallied to score seven of the final eight points with the help of Maureen Matthews off the bench who recorded five kills, including four straight, to push the match into the fifth set with a 25-20 win in the fourth.
In set five, Emporia State bounced back from a 4-1 deficit to tie the set 6-6. Central Missouri was able to eventually pull away and take the fifth set 15-12 over the Hornets.
Sandora Sasaki led the Hornets with 18 kills, her 21
st consecutive match with double-digit kills.
McKenya Sorrells recorded a career-high 13 kills in the middle on .375 hitting while also recording five blocks.
Brailee Bogle recorded 46 assists and added five kills of her own.
Emporia State will return to action on Tuesday, October 24 as they travel to take on #8 Nebraska-Kearney. The match is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.
