Women's Volleyball | 10/1/2025 2:30:00 PM
Matches 14-15
(RV) Emporia State Hornets (11-2, 2-0 MIAA)
at Newman Jets (2-11, 0-2 MIAA)
Thursday, October 2 • 6:00 p.m. • Wichita, Kan. • Fugate Gymnasium
Series History: ESU leads 13-4 •
Last Meeting: ESU 3, NU 0 (9/12/25)
at Pittsburg State Gorillas (7-5, 1-1 MIAA)
Friday, October 3 • 6:00 p.m. • Pittsburg, Kan. • John Lance Arena
Series History: ESU leads 76-31 •
Last Meeting: ESU 3, PSU 0 (10/4/24)
STREAK HITS THE ROAD
Emporia State volleyball hits the road for a quick two-match road trip this week, as they take on Newman and Pittsburg State.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hornets hosted Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri in their first two home matches of the season. Emporia State took down #24 Missouri Western in straight sets, earning their first ranked win as a program since the 2019 season. The Hornets then came back on Saturday night to complete the weekend sweep with a three-set win over the Bearcats. Following strong performances against the Griffons and Bearcats, Emporia State had both Camilla Ossola and Mia Frisbie earn MIAA Athlete of the Week honors.
FIRST MIAA ROAD TESTS
Emporia State volleyball will hit the road for a pair of conference matches this week, taking on both Newman and Pittsburg State. The Hornets will enter the matchups this week after receiving votes in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll.
ABOUT THE COACHES
Ken Murczek is in his third season at Emporia State and has a 41-28 record through the first two years. Prior to Murczek's arrival in 2023, the Hornets last made a trip to the MIAA Tournament in 2018, and have made the trip in each of the first two seasons in his tenure.
Mike MacNeill is 2-11 in his first season at Newman and previously coached for two seasons at Fresno Pacific where he posted a winning record.
Megan Besecker is 7-5 in her first season at Pittsburg State. Besecker is a former Emporia State assistant coach.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State has opened the season 11-2, including winning their last 11 matches, which is the longest winning streak for the Hornets since the 2009 season. The Hornets have deployed a balanced offensive attack so far this season, as five players are averaging two kills per set or more. Nyia Anderson leads the way with 132 kills and is averaging 3.07 kills per set. Camilla Ossola is next with 2.11 kills per set and has the highest hitting percentage among outside hitters this season. Ossola earned MIAA Athlete of the Week honors after her performances against Northwest Missouri and Missouri Western last week, and was joined in recognition by Mia Frisbie, who dominated in the middle. Frisbie has eight solo blocks and 37 block assists, included 13 over the last two matches to earn Defensive Athlete of the Week honors. Brooklynn Weaver, Lavra Krizanic, Emma Klett and Delainee Dexter have also made sizable impacts in the attack. Dexter has also been instrumental in the Hornets deploying a 6-2 rotation along with junior setter Brailee Bogle. Bogle and Dexter are combining for 10.30 assists per set this season.
SCOUTING THE JETS
Newman has struggled in the first season under head coach Mike MacNeill, beginning the season just 2-11. Both wins for the Jets have come against William Jewell and the took just one set against Arkansas-Fort Smith on opening weekend before falling to now #1 Central Oklahoma in three sets. In the attack, three Jets have surpassed over 100 kills so far this season, with Isabella Lamb leading the way with 119 kills and a .311 hitting percentage this season. Lamb has also been the most effective in defense, with nine solo blocks and 21 block assists. Madalyn Hoot has been the setter this season and has 390 assists through the first 13 matches.
SCOUTING THE GORILLAS
Pittsburg State is 7-5 this season, under first-year head coach Megan Besecker, and began MIAA action 1-1 with a win over Arkansas-Fort Smith and a loss against now #1 Central Oklahoma. Maliyah Johnson and Vix Vilott are leading the attack, with 131 and 116 kills respectively. On defense, Anna Dean has been a force at the net, with 15 solo blocks and 49 block assists through the first 12 matches. Her 62 total blocks rank second in the MIAA this season. At setter, the Gorillas also deploy a 6-2 rotation, as Jesa Wallace and Abby Carr are combining for 10.73 assists per set.
