Hornets take first set before dropping the match in four sets
Emporia State falls to Missouri Western in four sets on Friday night in St. Joseph, Missouri.
In the first set, the Griffons scored the first three points of the set and were able to lead for much of the set. Despite the Hornets being able to tie the score on multiple occasions, Missouri Western held off the Hornets until Emporia State claimed their first lead 20-19 to force a Griffon timeout. After the Griffons tied the set 20-20, the Hornets scored five of the final six to take the first set 25-21 over Missouri Western.
The second set began with Missouri Western leading 7-5 early on. Emporia State was unable to inch any closer as the Griffons scored eight of the next nine points to lead 15-6 over the Hornets. Missouri Western would go on to clinch the set 25-16 to even the match 1-1.
Emporia State began the third set in front as they led 7-6 in the early stages. The Griffons were able to respond as they rattled off a 9-3 run to lead 15-10 over the Hornets. Emporia State responded with five of the next six points as they cut deficit to 16-15 before Missouri Western rallied to win the third set 25-19.
The Hornets fell behind at the beginning of the fourth set as they were forced to call a timeout trailing 7-2 early on. Emporia State was unable to limit the Griffon attack as the second timeout was used with the Hornets behind 15-7. The Hornets did not allow the Missouri Western lead to grow any larger but were unable to mount a comeback as they fell 25-17 in the fourth set as the Griffons took the match 3-1.
Leah Mach led all players with 15 kills in the match. Grace Xu had 17 assists while Ainslee Stepp added 11 of her own. Shelby Ebert tallied 20 digs to lead the Hornets in defense while Orianna Clements and Winny Harris both recorded two blocks.
Emporia State will complete the regular season on Saturday, November 5 against Central Missouri. The match is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Original source can be found here.
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