September 29, 2026 - #17 Emporia State volleyball swept Pittsburg State on Tuesday night from White Auditorium in the home opener for the Hornets this season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Emporia State used the energy from the home crowd to score the first three points of the match on kills by Piper Bahr, Delainee Dexter and Lavra Krizanic, taking the early lead. The Hornets continued to hold the advantage throughout the set, despite the Gorillas closing an 11-5 Emporia State lead to 13-12 midway through the frame. Late in the first, the Hornets had again built a more relaxed lead, holding a 24-19 advantage with set point looming, however, Pittsburg State scored four straight to close the gap to just one. Emporia State would escape the first on the following point, as the Gorillas committed an error to seal set one 25-23.
In the second, it was Pittsburg State who took the advantage, with the visitors leading Emporia State 13-10 midway through. The scoring run for the Hornets would follow, with Emporia State rattling off ten straight points to flip the script into a 20-13 lead. The momentum continued over the final part of set two, with the Hornets clinching the 2-0 lead in the match with 25-19 win in the second frame.
The Hornets jumped in front early in set three, scoring five of the first seven points and building out an 8-4 lead. Pittsburg State responded with four of five points to close the lead to one, but Emporia State again increased their edge as they took a 17-12 lead. Similar to set one, the Hornets reached 24 points before the Gorillas mounted a rally. With the Hornets leading 24-20, Pittsburg State scored three straight to again cut it one, but another error by the visitors sealed the set and the sweep for Emporia State.
A LOOK AT THE STATS
Emporia State hit .267 while the Gorillas were held to .213. Lavra Krizanic led all players with 15 kills and was joined in double figures by Piper Bahr who had ten of her own. Brailee Bogle and Delainee Dexter had 24 and 16 assists respectively, while Miyu Tsurumaki had 19 digs on the defensive side.
UP NEXT
#17 Emporia State will remain home on Saturday, October 3 as they host #14 Washburn. First serve from White Auditorium is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
