Women's Volleyball | 10/27/2026 4:44:00 PM
Matches 25-26
#12 Emporia State Hornets (21-3, 6-2 MIAA)
vs. #23 Central Oklahoma Bronchos (18-6, 5-3 MIAA)
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026 • 4:30 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • White Auditorium
Series History: UCO leads 26-12•
Last Meeting: UCO 3, ESU 0 (11/20/25 - MIAA QF)
vs. Newman Jets (8-17, 2-6 MIAA)
Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026 • 6:00 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • White Auditorium
Series History: ESU leads 15-4 •
Last Meeting: ESU 3, at NU (9/8/26)
Complete Notes in PDF •
The MIAA Network •
Live Stats
GOOD TO BE BACK
Emporia State volleyball finally returns home for just their third and fourth home matches of the season as they host Central Oklahoma and Newman.
LAST TIME OUT
The Hornets headed to the Show Me State for a pair of road matchups as they took on Missouri Southern and Central Missouri. Against the Lions on Friday, the Hornets narrowly dropped the first set 29-27 before roaring back to win the match in Joplin in four sets. The Hornets then traveled to Warrensburg on Saturday afternoon and jump-started ESU's 2-0 day against UCM with a four-set win over the Jennies. The Hornets were led by four players in double-figures in kills, with all four hitting .286 or better in the match. The win marked their 21st of the season, equaling last season's total and their most since 2011.
ABOUT THE COACHES
Ken Murczek is in his fourth season at Emporia State and has a 72-36 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 237-181 in his career.
Edgar Miraku is in his 15th season leading Central Oklahoma and has a 351-110 record with the Bronchos.
Tori Provencio is in her first year at Newman and has an 8-17 record with the Jets, tied for their most wins since the 2022 season.
ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 21-3 this season with a 6-2 MIAA record, while also being ranked #12 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 3.55 kills per set average and third with 290 total kills. Three more Hornets have over 100 kills with Piper Bahr over the 200 mark with 226 on the season. Brailee Bogle, who is now third on the Emporia State career assists ladder, is averaging 7.90 assists per set. On defense, four Hornets have over 40 total blocks, with Ryann Hamilton leading the way at 64 following 17 at the MIAA In-Season Tournament to earn MIAA Defensive Player of the Week honors.
SCOUTING THE BRONCOS
Central Oklahoma is 18-6 this season with a 5-3 record in the MIAA as they are ranked 23rd in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll. The Bronchos are led by Georgia Ahlert and Myla Unterweger who have 258 and 238 kills respectively as they both average north of three kills per set. Riley Roberts has 812 assists leading the offense and on the defensive side, Kaitlyn Parrott is one of the top liberos in the association, averaging 5.11 digs per set.
SERIES HISTORY
Central Oklahoma leads the series with Emporia State 26-12 which includes a five-set loss for the Hornets at White Auditorium last season. The Hornets are looking for their first win over the Bronchos since 2018.
SCOUTING THE JETS
Newman is 8-17 this season as their eight wins match their most since the 2022 season. The Jets have a pair of MIAA wins this season which have come against Missouri Southern and Fort Hays State while also picking up a sweep over Northeastern State in the In-Season Tournament. The attack has been led by Isabella Lamb and Sky Miller who have 201 and 169 kills respectively, while Lamb is hitting .208 so far. Similar to the Hornets, the Jets have deployed two setters as Madalyn Hoot and Charissa Ninan have combined for 9.67 assists per set. Defensively, Reese Daugherty and Reese Johnson have 3.69 and 2.38 digs per set.
SERIES HISTORY
Emporia State has won the last five matches, beginning with the first matchup under Ken Murczek in 2023, with the Hornets dropping just one set in that time frame. Overall, Emporia State leads the all-time series 15-4 over Newman.
IN THE RANKINGS
Emporia State entered the rankings at #25 during the week two AVCA Poll, and currently sit at #12 in the latest week eight 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.
NOTICING THE NPI
Last week, Division II released their initial NPI rankings of the 2026 season, and in the updated rankings, the Hornets are currently slotted third in the central region with the eight-best NPI in the country. NPI stands for NCAA Power Index and will be used to rank teams for postseason play.
