The #24 Emporia State volleyball team couldn’t finish two match points in the fourth and fell in a reverse sweep to #7 Central Oklahoma 15-25, 19-25, 25-20, 30-28, 15-9 at White Auditorium last night. ESU dominated in the the first set holding the ‘Chos to -.094 hitting. E-State converted in game two with a late 5-1 run to provide the cushion they needed to lead 2-0, but the Bronze & Blue ended the third on a 7-2 run to keep the match going. The Lady Hornets led 14-8 early in the fourth, but the Bronchos chipped away before leveling the game at 19-all. UCO saved two match points in the fourth converting on their third to force a decisive fifth frame. The ‘Chos jumped all over E-State in the fifth and led 8-2 before ESU used a later 4-1 run to give themselves a chance, but the Bronchos held on for the reverse sweep. After holding UCO at .111 or less in the first two sets, UCO hit .213 or better in the final three frames. Meanwhile the Hornet offense withered hitting just .077 over the final two sets. Head coach Ken Murczek said his team didn’t respond well to a UCO adjustment that got their middles involved.
Freshman Emma Klett, the reigning MIAA Offensive Player of the Week did not play in the match and Murczek was unsure of her availability Friday. Nyia Anderson and Lavra Krizanic combined for 42 of ESU’s 60 kills with Anderson leading the way with 22 while Brooklyn Weaver led the way with seven total blocks. ESU (20-6, 11-4) wraps up the regular season hosting Arkansas-Fort Smith Friday at 6:00 p.m.
