November 8, 2025 – Emporia State outlasted #3 Nebraska-Kearney in a marathon fourth set to seal the season sweep over the Lopers.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hornets struggled out of the gate, as the third-ranked Lopers forced Emporia State into eleven errors in the opening frame on their way to 25-15 first set win.
The momentum in favor of the Lopers continued in set two, as the hosts led 13-6 midway through the second. Five straight points by the Hornets closed the gap to 13-11 and forced a Loper timeout. Emporia State eventually pulled level at 18-18, forcing Nebraska-Kearney to use their second timeout of the set. After the Lopers rallied back to take a 23-22 lead, the Hornets scored three straight to take the set and level the match 1-1.
In set three, Nebraska-Kearney scored four of the first five points to take an early lead. Emporia State would fight back to even the score and the two teams traded points throughout the set with the score settling at 21-21 late in the frame. The Hornets and Lopers traded points until 23-23 before a kill by
Camilla Ossola and an error by the Lopers gave the Hornets a 2-1 advantage in the match.
Emporia State grabbed the early advantage in set four, building a 10-6 lead to force a timeout. An error by the Lopers immediately out of the timeout gave the Hornets their largest lead of the set before Nebraska-Kearney climbed back. The set went back and forth throughout, with the score tied 23-23 late in the frame.
The Hornets withstood a possible seven set points for the Lopers, and after holding leads of their own at 29-28, and 32-21, Emporia State finally converted their opportunity, as an error gave the Hornets a 34-32 win in set four to seal the match.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Emporia State and Nebraska-Kearney hit just .120 and .128 in the match with 26 and 23 total blocks each.
Lavra Krizanic fell just one kill short of a career-high, tallying 23 in the match.
UP NEXT
The Hornets will take on another top ten opponent on Thursday, November 13 as they return home against #7 Central Oklahoma. First serve from White Auditorium between the Hornets and Bronchos is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
