Women's Volleyball | 10/6/2025 8:07:00 PM
Match 16
(RV) Emporia State Hornets (13-2, 4-0 MIAA)
vs #9 Washburn Ichabods (14-1, 3-1 MIAA)
Tuesday, October 7 • 6:00 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • White Auditorium
Series History: ESU 64-50 • Last Meeting: WU 3, at ESU 2 (10/26/24)
The MIAA Network • Live Stats • Complete Notes in pdf
SAAC BIG GAME
Emporia State plays host to #9 Washburn on Tuesday night from White Auditorium, as SAAC is hosting their big game for the first edition of the Turnpike Tussle this season.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hornets picked up their 12th and 13th consecutive wins last time out, with a three-set win over Newman and a five-set comeback against Pittsburg State. Against the Jets, Emporia State hit .297 with Emma Klett featuring for the Hornets, as she tallied a career-high 19 kills. Against the Gorillas, Emporia State struggled for much of the match, as they trailed 2-1 in the match and 15-9 in the fourth set with their back against the wall before rallying to take set four and eventually the match to keep the streak alive.
LAST SEASON VS. THE ICHABODS
In 2024, the Hornets and Ichabods went five sets in both matchups, with Washburn coming out on top of Emporia State in both meetings. It was the first time since 2017, when the Hornets last defeated Washburn, the Emporia State took more than one set against the Ichabods.
TUESDAY TUSSLE
Emporia State volleyball plays host to #9 Washburn on Tuesday for a pivotal MIAA midweek matchup.
ABOUT THE COACHES
Ken Murczek is in his third season at Emporia State and has a 43-28 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.
Chris Herron is 638-141 in his 24th season in Topeka and has six MIAA championships and 18 trips to the NCAA Tournament with the Ichabods.Â
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State has opened the season 13-2, including winning their last 13 matches, which is tied for 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 1.98 kills per set or more. Nyia Anderson leads the way with 155 kills and is averaging 3.04 kills per set. Lavra Krizanic is next with 2.35 kills per set. Camilla Ossola has the highest hitting percentage among outside hitters at .235 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 nine solo blocks and 42 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 10.44 assists per set this season.
SCOUTING THE ICHABODS
Washburn has started the 2025 campaign 14-1, which included 12 consecutive wins to begin the season. The Ichabods have been ranked inside the top ten over the last four weeks, and are currently #9 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll released on Monday afternoon. Washburn has been extremely efficient in the attack this season, hitting .309 which ranks second in the nation while their kills per set of 14.68 ranks fifth. Four Ichabods average more than two kills per set, with Austin Broadie excelling on the outside with a 3.50 kills per set average while hitting .389 on the season. Similar to the Hornets, Washburn deploys a 6-2 rotation with Corinna McMullen and Sydney Conner combining for 11.49 assists per set. In addition to a strong attack, Bella Limback and Alex Dvorak have 52 and 51 total blocks respectively.
