Women's Volleyball | 11/12/2025 5:00:00 PM
Matches 26-27
#24 Emporia State Hornets (20-5, 11-3, MIAA)
vs. #7 Central Oklahoma Bronchos (25-3, 11-3 MIAA)
Thursday, November 13 • 6:00 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • White Auditorium
Series History: UCO leads 24-12 •
Last Meeting: UCO 3, ESU 0 (11/21/25) - MIAA Quarterfinals
vs. Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions (13-14, 3-11 MIAA)
Friday, November 14 • 6:00 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • White Auditorium
Series History: Series tied 2-2 •
Last Meeting: ESU 3, at UAFS 2 (11/15/25)
The MIAA Network •
Live Stats •
Complete Notes in pdf
HOME SWEET HOME
Emporia State volleyball returns home following their five-match road trip as they host #7 Central Oklahoma and Arkansas-Fort Smith in the final two matches of the regular season.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hornets traveled west for matchups against #3 Nebraska-Kearney and Fort Hays State. In the first of the two matches, the Hornets answered a dropped first set against the Tigers with three straight to win the match in four sets. On Saturday, the Hornets and third-ranked Lopers squared off in Kearney, where the Hornets followed the same formula on their way to a four-set win. The fourth set extended beyond 25 points, as the Hornets withstood seven match points on their way to 34-32 win in the frame to seal the match.
ABOUT THE COACHES
Ken Murczek is in his third season at Emporia State and has a 50-31 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.
Edgar Miraku is 327-96 in his 14th year with the Bronchos. He has led UCO to the NCAA Tournament three times, including to the National Quarterfinals last season.
Jane Sargent is 738-206 in her 27th season at Arkansas-Fort Smith. She led the Lions to national prominence in the NJCAA ranks before helping the Lions transition to the NCAA Division II level.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 20-5 this season, with an 11-3 MIAA record and moved back into the AVCA Top 25 at the #24 spot in the latest rankings. The Hornets have deployed a balanced offensive attack so far this season, as five players are averaging 1.77 kills per set or more this season. Nyia Anderson leads Emporia State with 272 kills and 3.09 kills per set, which both rank top ten in the MIAA. In the middle, Mia Frisbie and Brooklyn Weaver are fourth and sixth in the MIAA in total blocks, and top ten in solo blocks. Boglarka Rady is fifth in the MIAA in digs from the libero position, while Brailee Bogle and Delainee Dexter combine to average 10.74 assists per set as part of a 6-2 rotation that the Hornets have deployed for much of the season.
SCOUTING THE BRONCHOS
Central Oklahoma is 25-3 this season and sit at 11-3 in the MIAA along with the Hornets, Washburn and Nebraska-Kearney. The Bronchos have won their last six matches and have three players with 200 or more kills on the season. Mikiah Perdue leads the way with 270 and is averaging 2.87 per set while posting a .291 hitting percentage. Sydney Huck has 243 kills and her kills per set mark (3.92) leads the MIAA. Lindsey Houran runs the Bronchos offense and averages 11.45 assists per set, the highest mark in the MIAA and sixth-best in the nation. She has tallied nearly 5,000 assists over the past four seasons. On the defensive side, Perdue has 83 total blocks this season, which leads the team and Kaitlyn Parrott is averaging 5.85 digs per set with 550 on the season. Both marks rank top ten in the nation.
SCOUTING THE LIONS
Arkansas-Fort Smith is 13-14 on the season entering the final two matches of the regular season, and currently are in ninth place in the MIAA standings. Lydia Pitts and Crystal Smith lead the Lions attack, averaging 2.78 and 2.33 kills per set this season. Pitts has 278 kills, which is the third-best mark in the MIAA. Smith has notable made a strong impact on defense, as she has 135 blocks and averages 1.35 per set, which both rank second in the MIAA. Similar to the Hornets throughout the season, the Lions have deployed a 6-2 rotation which features Scarlette Young and Trinity Funderburk at the setter position.
CENTRAL REGION RECOGNITION
The NCAA released their updated Central Regional rankings on Wednesday afternoon, and Emporia State came in at number seven, and as one of six MIAA teams listed in the top ten. The Hornets will be looking for their first NCAA Tournament berth since the 2010 season. In addition to the six MIAA teams, the remaining four reside in the NSIC. In the latest AVCA Poll, which released on November 10, six MIAA teams and six NSIC teams were ranked or receiving votes.
