Home Stand Wraps up for Hornet Volleyball Against Jennies and Lions

Women's Volleyball | 10/16/2025 11:00:00 AM

Matches 19-20
(RV) Emporia State Hornets (15-3, 6-1 MIAA)
vs #24 Central Missouri Jennies (14-3, 6-1 MIAA)
Friday, October 17 • 6:00 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • White Auditorium
Series History: UCM leads 62-7 • Last Meeting: ESU 3, at UCM 2 (10/18/24)

vs. Missouri Southern Lions (8-10, 2-5 MIAA)
Saturday, October 18 • 3:00 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • White Auditorium
Series History: ESU leads 53-34 • Last Meeting: ESU 3, at MSSU 0 (10/19/24)
The MIAA Network • Live Stats • Complete Notes in pdf

HOME STAND WRAPS UP
Emporia State volleyball will close out their five-match homestand with matchups against Central Missouri and Missouri Southern. The Friday night match against the 24th-ranked Jennies is the third ranked matchup of the home stand.

LAST TIME OUT
The Hornets #2 Nebraska-Kearney and Fort Hays State last weekend, and took all six sets against the Lopers and Tigers. Emporia State's win over UNK marked the biggest ranked win in program history and the first win over the Lopers since 1988. Nyia Anderson and Lavra Krizanic led the way for the Hornets with 12 kills each as the Hornets hit .361 in the match. Against the Tigers, the Hornets withstood a fight from Fort Hays State, as 16 kills by Anderson helped seal the match in three.

RANKED BATTLES CONTINUE
Emporia State volleyball plays host to #24 Central Missouri on Friday night, their third ranked match in the last four, before closing out the homestand against Missouri Southern on Saturday.

ABOUT THE COACHES
Ken Murczek is in his third season at Emporia State and has a 45-29 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.
Caitlin Peterson is 69-37 in her fourth season at Central Missouri. She has surpassed her win total from year three already this season, after winning 19 matches in 2022 and 25 in 2023. 
Joshua Moore is in year one as the full-time head coach at Missouri Southern after taking over as the interim during the 2024 campaign. 

ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State has opened the season 15-3, which included winning 13 consecutive matches leading up the Turnpike Tussle with Washburn last week. 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 188 kills and is averaging 3.13 kills per set. Lavra Krizanic is next with 2.47 kills per set. Camilla Ossola has the highest hitting percentage among outside hitters at .237 and she earned MIAA Athlete of the Week honors after her performances against Northwest Missouri and Missouri Western to open MIAA action. She was joined in recognition by Mia Frisbie, who has excelled in the middle this season. Frisbie has 11 solo blocks and 52 block assists. 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 10.54 assists per set this season.

SCOUTING THE JENNIES
Central Missouri is 14-3 this season, and off to a 6-1 start in the MIAA in year four under head coach Caitlin Peterson. The Jennies knocked off #13 Grand Valley State early in the season on the road and also picked up a road win over then #1 Central Oklahoma in the middle of their current seven-match winning streak. Four players averaging north of 2.60 kills per set, with Emma Siron and Shaye Koski leading the way with 2.87 and 2.85 averages respectively. Kaelyn McDonald has also been extremely efficient through the middle, posting a .340 hitting percentage on 318 attacks.

SCOUTING THE LIONS
Missouri Southern is 8-10 this season and 2-5 in the MIAA, with wins in their last two over Newman and Pittsburg State. The eight wins for MSSU have surpassed last season's total of six. The Lions have three attackers averaging more than 2.50 kills per set, including Alana Moesch who averages 3.34, the fourth-best mark in the MIAA. Fernanda Merancio average 2.52 kills per set, and has the highest hitting percentage for Missouri Southern at .246. Defensively, Merancio, who has 36 total blocks is joined by Hanna Lauterbach who has 38 total blocks of her own.