Women's Volleyball | 11/14/2024 11:44:00 AM
Matches 25-26
Emporia State Hornets (16-8, 8-6 MIAA) at Arkansas Fort Smith (14-12, 6-8 MIAA)
Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 • 6:00 p.m. • Fort Smith, Ark.
Series History: UAFS leads 2-1 • Last Meeting: UAFS 3, ESU 1 (9/14/19)
at Central Oklahoma Bronchos (25-2, 12-2 MIAA)
Saturday, Nov. 16 • 5:00 p.m. • Edmond, Okla.
Series History: UCO leads 22-11 • Last Meeting: UCO 3, ESU 0 (11/4/23)
ROAD WRAP UP
Emporia State travels to Arkansas Fort Smith and #10 Central Oklahoma for the final two matches of the regular season before the MIAA Tournament next week.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hornets hosted both Fort Hays State and #5 Nebraska-Kearney from White Auditorium. Emporia State took down the Tigers in four sets, in a match that featured 40 combined kills from Weronika Wrzesinska and Camilla Ossola. Rayishon Jackman also moved from libero to outside hitter over the final two sets and tallied 12 kills. Against the Lopers, the Hornets celebrated senior day, but were unable to pull off the upset, falling in three sets.
ABOUT THE COACHES
Ken Murczek is in his second season at Emporia State and has a 29-24 record. In his first season at the helm, the Hornets improved their overall win total by nine games and conference win total by six games as they made a trip to the MIAA Tournament. This is his first meeting against Arkansas-Fort Smith and is looking for his first win against Central Oklahoma.
Jane Sargent is in her 26th year at Arkansas-Fort Smith and has a 725-190 record with the Lions.
Edgar Miraku is in year twelve with the Bronchos and has a 294-92 record in his time at Central Oklahoma.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 16-8 this season and 8-6 in the MIAA as they are currently in fifth place in the conference standings. The Hornets are in sixth place in the KPI standings, the format which will decide the MIAA Tournament seeding. As a team, the Hornets are fifth in the MIAA in hitting percentage, third in assists, fifth in opponent kills and third in service aces. Weronika Wrzesinska and Rayishon Jackman are in the top three in the MIAA in kills with 329 and 311, and top five in kills per set with averages of 3.57 and 3.38. Camilla Ossola has been strong in attack as well, averaging 2.87 kills per set while a team-high .267 hitting percentage. In the middle, McKenya Sorrells and Mia Frisbie have anchored the defense, as they both have double-digit solo blocks this season. Brailee Bogle has 916 assists on the season, averaging 9.96 per set.
ABOUT THE LIONS
Arkansas Fort Smith is 14-12 this season and are currently 6-8 in their first season in the MIAA. The Lions lead the MIAA in total blocks and rank second in service aces and are led by Nyia Anderson and Caelyn Gunn who both have over 250 kills this season. At setter, Scarlette Young and Trinity Funderbunk combined for over ten assists per set. On the defensive side, Hannah Watkins is the anchor for the Lions, with 22 solo blocks and 89 block assists on the season.
ABOUT THE BRONCHOS
Central Oklahoma is 25-2 this season and are currently in fourth place in the MIAA KPI standings heading into the final weekend. The Bronchos are currently ranked tenth in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll and fifth in the central region rankings. The attack for the Bronchos features four players with over 200 kills and three averaging over three per set. Addison Wimmer leads the way, with 283 kills and an average of 3.41, which ranks fourth in the MIAA. At setter, Lindsey Houran leads the offense with over 1,000 kills and averages 11.27 per set.
CENTRAL REGION RECOGNITION
In the second iteration of the Central Region rankings, Emporia State made the list as the tenth-ranked team in the region, and one of five MIAA teams in the top ten. In the latest AVCA Coaches Poll, the MIAA has three teams ranked in the top 25 with Missouri Western nearly ranked and receiving votes. In the region, eight teams are ranked in the top 25 with two more receiving votes.
