September 23, 2023-For just the second time this year and for the first time against and unranked team, Emporia State was swept today at Missouri Southern. The Lions won 25-23, 26-24, 25-16 on Saturday night in Joplin, Mo.
In the first set Emporia State fought off three set points after Missouri Southern took a 24-20 lead.
Sandora Sasaki got two kills around block from
Orianna Clements and
McKenya Sorrells to make it 24-23 before Amelia Neels got a kill to end the set.
The Hornets jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the second set. ESU led 14-9 when MSSU went on an 8-1 run to take their first lead since 1-0. There would be six ties the rest of the set but could not retake the lead as the Lions won 26-24.
A kill from Clements tied the final set at 15-15 but the Lions would end the match on a 10-1 run. They scored the final eight points for the 25-16 win.
Sandora Sasaki led Emporia State with 14 kills and was joined in double figures by
Maureen Mathews with 11 kills. Anakaren Chaves had a career high 24 digs.
Emporia State will return to Emporia on Friday, September 29 to take on Northwest Missouri. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. in White Auditorium.
