Women's Volleyball | 11/5/2026 11:40:00 AM

Matches 27-28
#12 Emporia State Hornets (23-3, 8-2 MIAA)
vs. Northwest Missouri Bearcats (9-14, 6-4 MIAA)
Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 • 6:00 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • White Auditorium
Series History: ESU leads 48-24• Last Meeting: ESU 3, NWMSU 0 (10/16/26)

vs. #10 Missouri Western Griffons (21-3, 9-1 MIAA)
Saturday, Oct. 7, 2026 • 7:00 p.m. • Emporia, Kan. • White Auditorium
Series History: MWSU leads 53-46 • Last Meeting: MWSU 3, ESU 2 (11/1/25)
Complete Notes in PDF • The MIAA Network • Live Stats

WRAPPING UP AT WHITE
#12 Emporia State volleyball closes out the regular season slate with home matches against Northwest Missouri and #10 Missouri Western.

LAST TIME OUT
The Hornets hosted both #23 Central Oklahoma and Newman last week and opened the week with an strong defensive performance against the Bronchos. Emporia State held UCO to just .061 hitting while forcing 27 errors, both season-bests for the Hornets, as Emporia State swept UCO. The Hornets then came back the following night and took care of Newman  in straight sets, as they posted the second-highest hitting percentage of the season with a .340 mark, as they also tied for the fewest errors in a match this season. 

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.
Amy Woerth is in her 15th season leading Northwest Missouri and has a 246-180 record with the Bearcats.
Jessica Fey is in her fifth season at Missouri Western and has an 97-47 record with the Griffons.

ABOUT THE HORNETS
Emporia State is 23-3 this season with a 8-2 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 is second in the MIAA with a 3.40 kills per set average and second with 306 total kills. Six more Hornets have over 100 kills with Piper Bahr over the 200 mark with 246 on the season. Brailee Bogle, who is now third on the Emporia State career assists list, is averaging 7.79 assists per set. On defense, four Hornets have over 50 total blocks, with Ryann Hamilton leading the way at 70, following 17 at the MIAA In-Season Tournament to earn MIAA Defensive Player of the Week honors, with 11 coming against the Bearcats.

SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
Northwest Missouri has struggled overall this season at just 9-14 overall, but currently sit at 6-4 in the MIAA and sixth place in the MIAA standings. The Bearcats are led by twins Gabrielle and Sophia Gartner in attack as the two have combined for over 400 kills on the season. On defense, Ellery Luhring averages 5.56 digs per set, which is the top mark in the MIAA, and the Bearcats have three players with 30 or more total blocks this season.

SERIES HISTORY
Emporia State leads the all-time series with Northwest Missouri 48-24 with the Hornets winning the last five meetings with the Bearcats.

SCOUTING THE GRIFFONS
Missouri Western is 21-3 three on the season with a 9-1 mark in the MIAA, as they sit one spot ahead of the Hornets in the MIAA standings. The Griffons are also narrowly ahead of the Hornets in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll, coming in at the tenth spot. Missouri Western resides in the top three of the MIAA in several categories. The Griffons are led in attack by Tanith Roush and Taylor Russell, who combine to average 5.68 kills per set. Similar to the Bearcats, Missouri Western have a standout libero in Anna Weberg, who ranks second in the MIAA with a 5.45 digs per set average.

SERIES HISTORY
Missouri Western leads the series with Emporia State 53-46 with the Hornets going 2-8 since 2021. The Hornets and Griffons split the two meetings during the 2025 season.

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 nine 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
The Hornets are currently slotted third in the central region, as their rating is the eight-best NPI in the country. NPI stands for NCAA Power Index and will be used to rank teams for postseason play as all three conference champions in the region, plus the five highest-rated teams remaining will make the NCAA tournament.