The Emporia State volleyball team fell in straight sets to Rockhurst 25-18, 26-24, 25-13 to open up the season in the Kansas City Classic last night at Mason-Halpin Field House in Kansas City. ESU started strong with a 6-1 run in the first set, but following a Hawk timeout, RU answered with their own 6-1 run to tie the match at seven. The Lady Hornets were within 19-17 late in the first set, but the Hawks ran away with another 6-1 surge. ESU built a five-point lead in the second set at 11-6, but couldn’t hold off the Hawks who went on a 7-2 heater to tie the set at 13. ESU built another five-point lead at 23-18 but Rockhurst surged back again with an 8-1 run to win the set 26-24. Rockhurst dominated the second half of the third set ending the match scoring 12 of the last 15 points. ESU was outhit .225 to .112 in the match with Rayishon Jackman leading the way with 11 kills while Lillian Zeigler paced ESU with four total blocks and Sydney Fiatte had 17 digs. Brailee Bogle totaled 22 assists and also found four kills on seven swings to hit .571 in the match.
E-State returns to action today and heads to Liberty, Mo. to play Sioux Falls at 1:00 p.m. They’ll then be hosted by William Jewell at 5:00 p.m.
