October 28, 2026 - #12 Emporia State held #23 Central Oklahoma to a season-low .067 hitting percentage on Wednesday night as the Hornets swept the Bronchos at White Auditorium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Similar to last season's MIAA Quarterfinal matchup between the Hornets and Bronchos, it would take more than 25 points to secure set one.
Emporia State opened the match with four of the first five points to take a 4-1 edge over the Bronchos, before leading by as much as five with a 10-5 advantage which saw UCO take a timeout. Emporia state pushed past the midway point with a 14-10 lead before the Bronchos rattled off six straight to take their first lead of the match. The rally was answered by the Hornets as they moved back in front with a 19-17 lead. Late in the set, Central Oklahoma had climbed back in front 23-22 before kills by Emma Klett and Brooklynn Weaver put the Hornets on set point in the first frame. The visitors staved off three set points before Emporia State finally put the set away with a block by Klett and Hamilton to win the first 28-26.
The momentum of winning set one seemed to carry over for Emporia State in the second as they rattled off nine of the first ten points including eight straight as they forced the Bronchos to use both timeouts. The Hornets continued to control set two on their way to a 25-13 win in the frame.
Set three began with Central Oklahoma slightly ahead with a 3-2 advantage before Emporia State resumed their play from set two with six straight points to take an 8-3 lead. The Hornet lead stayed around five to six points until ESU led 14-8. After that point, Emporia State put together another 9-1 scoring run to lead 23-9 before eventually closing out the third 25-15, completing the sweep over the Bronchos.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Emporia State hit .176 but held the Bronchos to .067 at the net. Lavra Krizanic and Brooklynn Weaver both had nine kills while Piper Bahr added eight of her own. Brailee Bogle led the Hornets with 21 assists and 14 digs.
UP NEXT
Emporia State will host Newman on Thursday, October 29 from White Auditorium. First serve between the Hornets and Jets is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
NOTES
Emporia State's 22nd win marks their most since winning 23 matches in 2010.
The Hornets' win over Central Oklahoma is their first against the Bronchos since 2018.
