Women's Volleyball | 10/2/2026 6:34:00 PM

NIGHTTIME TUSSLE AT WHITE
Emporia State is set host a top 20 Turnpike Tussle matchup against Washburn on Saturday night. 

LAST SEASON VS. THE ICHABODS
Emporia State took on the Ichabods twice last season and fell in three sets in both matches. The Hornets struggled in attack in the first meeting, posting just a .056 average compared to a .286 mark by Washburn. In the meeting in late October, the attack improved for the Hornets as they posted a .259 average but struggled in serve-receive which proved costly in the loss.

LAST TIME OUT
After 16 matches on the road to open 2026, the Hornets played in front of their home crowd at White Auditorium for the first time on Tuesday evening. Emporia State used the home crowd to take down Pittsburg State in straight sets. The Hornets posted a .267 average in attack with Lavra Krizanic and Piper Bahr tallying 15 and 10 kills in the match. Brailee Bogle, who tallied 24 assists, moved into fourth in program history as she now has 3,032 in her career.

ABOUT THE COACHES
Ken Murczek is in his fourth season at Emporia State and has a 66-35 record through the first three-plus 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 three seasons of his tenure.
Chris Herron is 665-148 in his now 25th season leading the Ichabod volleyball program. He has led Washburn to the NCAA Tournament 19 times.

ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 15-2 to open the 2026 season and 2-1 in the MIAA, with their two losses coming against #1 Ferris State and #7 Nebraska-Kearney. Lavra Krizanic is leading the Hornets in attack with 209 kills on .245 hitting, and Krizanic is one of two players averaging three kills per set as Piper Bahr has added 159 kills this season. Delainee Dexter, Jade Xu and Maja Ciosek have also contributed along the outside for the Hornets. In the middle, Mia Frisbie and Brooklynn Weaver are hitting an efficient .359 and .354 in attack while also leading Emporia State with 38 and 39 blocks respectively. Brailee Bogle and Delainee Dexter have shared the setting responsibilities and are combining to average 11.10 assists per set so far. On the defensive side, Krizanic has 203 digs while Bogle and Dexter and 129 and 122 respectively to aid libero Miyu Tsurumaki who leads the way with 286 on the season. 

SCOUTING THE ICHABODS
Washburn is 14-3 this season and have started 3-1 in the MIAA, as their MIAA defeat, like the Hornets, came against Nebraska-Kearney. The Ichabods are currently ranked just a few spots ahead of the Hornets in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll, sitting at #14 in the nation. Offensively, they are hitting .256 as a team and have four players with over 100 kills. Brynne Topolski and Emma Siron have thrived so far, as they average 3.51 and 3.50 kills per set respectively. Shannon Frakes operates the offense from the setter position and averages 10.37 assists per set, the highest mark in the MIAA this season. Defensively, Taylor Rottinghaus averages 4.86 digs per set which ranks third in the association, while Brooklyn Morrissey is the most prominent at the net, as her 56 total blocks is eighth in the MIAA.

SERIES HISTORY
Emporia State leads the all-time series 77-56 with the Ichabods having the control lately. The Hornets are looking for their first win over Washburn since the 2017 season and just their second since 2009.

IN THE RANKINGS
Emporia State entered the rankings at #25 during the week two AVCA Poll, and currently sit at #17 in the latest week five poll released on Monday. The Hornets are one of four 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 nine teams in the top 25 and another three receiving votes in week five's iteration.