November 16, 2024 - Emporia State closed out the regular season on the road against #10 Central Oklahoma and the Hornets struggled to get going offensively, hitting just .045 as they fell in three sets against the tenth-ranked Bronchos.
Central Oklahoma scored eight of the first ten points of the match, before Emporia State rallied to tie the first set at 14-14, forcing a timeout from the Bronchos. Out of the timeout, the Bronchos responded with six straight points to take a 20-14 lead. The Hornets were unable to trim the deficit below four points as the first set was taken by Central Oklahoma 25-20.
Both teams traded points early in set two, with the score tied 7-7, before the Bronchos scored four of five to force an Emporia State timeout. The Hornets were unable to rally back, as Central Oklahoma expanded on their lead, taking the second 25-15.
The Hornets grabbed the first point of set three before Central Oklahoma gained control and eventually opened up an 8-2 lead, forcing an Emporia State timeout. The lead continued to swell, as the Bronchos led by as much as 21-7 before taking set three 25-13.
Weronika Wrzesinska tallied a match-high 12 kills on .345 hitting but was the lone Hornet in double figures on the day. Emporia State finishes the regular season 17-9 and 9-7 in the MIAA, their first winning record in MIAA play since 2013. The Hornets will play in the MIAA Tournament in St. Joseph, Mo. next week with the quarterfinals scheduled for Thursday, November 21.
