Women's Volleyball | 10/15/2026 11:50:00 AM
Matches 21-22
#18 Emporia State Hornets (17-3)
at Northwest Missouri Bearcats (7-10)
Friday, Oct. 16, 2026 • 7:30 p.m. • Maryville, Mo. • Bearcat Arena
Series History: ESU leads 47-25 •
Last Meeting: ESU 3, NWMSU 0 (10/31/25)
vs. #5 Nebraska-Kearney Lopers (20-1)
Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026 • 3:00 p.m. • Maryville, Mo. • Bearcat Arena
Series History: UNK leads 51-12 •
Last Meeting: at UNK 3, ESU 0 (9/25/26)
Complete Notes in PDF • The MIAA Network • Live Stats
MIDSEASON IN MARYVILLE
Emporia State volleyball heads to Maryville for the MIAA Mid-Season Tournament as the Hornets are set to take on Northwest Missouri and #5 Nebraska-Kearney.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hornets traveled south for a pair of matches against Northeastern State and Arkanas-Fort Smith. Emporia State's meeting with the Riverhawks was the first in program history as NSU started their program this season and the Hornets took care of business with a 3-0 win. Emporia State then head to The Natural State for a meeting with the Lions and came away with a second consecutive sweep. Against the Riverhawks, Piper Bahr led all players with 14 kills and against the Lions, Lavra Krizanic had 17 kills with Bahr adding another 10.
ABOUT THE COACHES
Ken Murczek is in his fourth season at Emporia State and has a 68-36 record through the first three-plus seasons. 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 three seasons of his tenure. Murczek is currently 233-181 in his career.
Amy Woerth is in her 15th year at Northwest Missouri and is 234-174 leading the Bearcats.
Rick Squiers is in his now 28th year at Nebraska-Kearney and has a 838-116 career record with the Lopers.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 17-3 this season with a 4-2 MIAA record, while also being ranked #18 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll. The Hornets currently rank top three in the MIAA in kills per set, assists per set, and service aces allowed. Lavra Krizanic leads the MIAA with a 3.52 kills per set average and 243 total kills. Three more Hornets have over 100 kills with Piper Bahr nearing the 200 mark with 192 on the season. Brailee Bogle, who is fourth on the Emporia State career assists ladder, is averaging 7.77 assists per set, which included averaging more than ten per set last week.
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Northwest Missouri 7-10 overall this season, but are sitting at 4-3 in the MIAA with a notable five-set win over Central Oklahoma in mid-September. The Bearcats are led by twins Gabrielle and Sophia Gartner in attack as the two have combined for nearly 300 kills on the season. On defense, Ellery Luhring averages 4.81 digs per set, which is a top five mark in the MIAA, and the Bearcats have four players with 20 or more total blocks this season.
SERIES HISTORY
Emporia State leads the all-time series with Northwest Missouri 47-25 with the Hornets winning the last four meetings with the Bearcats.
SCOUTING THE LOPERS
Nebraska-Kearney is 20-1 this season and are ranked #5 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll. The Lopers have started the MIAA 8-0 and they have lost just six sets this season, and just three since their lone loss to Colorado Mesa on opening weekend. UNK has been extremely efficient in attack this season, hitting .297 as a team which is led by a host of middle blockers, along with Brynn Stowell on the outside who is hitting .368 with 177 kills on the season. The Lopers have used two setters this season, with Ellie Eckman and Callie Squiers combining for 10.97 assists per set. Defensively, the Lopers have excelled at the net, totaling 45 solo blocks and 238 block assists this season. Sydney Davis has 21 solos and 60 total this season.
SERIES HISTORY
Nebraska-Kearney leads the all-time over the Hornets 51-12, with Emporia State's two wins last season being the first wins over the Lopers since the 1988 season.
IN THE RANKINGS
Emporia State entered the rankings at #25 during the week two AVCA Poll, and currently sit at #18 in the latest week seven poll released on Monday. The Hornets are one of five MIAA teams in the top 25 and six that are at least receiving votes. In addition to the MIAA's presence, the central region has 11 teams in the top 25 and another receiving votes in week five's iteration.
