Volleyball | ESU Bulletin

Category: Volleyball

The Emporia State Lady Hornets entered the Lady Blues Fall Classic in Topeka with a record of 9-6. After a stellar weekend that included dominating performances over Southeastern Oklahoma State, East Central, Southern Nazarene and Southwestern Oklahoma, they moved their record to 13-6.

“We had a bad loss the week before, but we were mentally prepared for this weekend,” said head coach Bing Xu. “That was the biggest part of our performance,”

The Hornets got things going the opening day of the tournament with a morning sweep over Southeastern Oklahoma State, 25-17, 25-6 and 25-12. Junior hitter Brianna Kaiser led the offense with 11 kills.

They kept it going with another victory to finish off day one over East Central. They were led by Kaiser again as she recorded her second double-double of the day with 17 kills and 14 digs.

On day two the Hornets kept up the momentum with an offensive outing against Southern Nazarene, as they hit .408 percent in their first match. They were led by junior hitter Paige Vanderpool with her 13-kill performance. Defensively, senior defensive specialist Meg Schwartz led the way with 14 digs.

Defense was needed in their final match as they went on to complete a dominating weekend performance with a sweep over Southwestern Oklahoma State. The Hornets out- blocked their opponent 13-3, and held the Bulldogs to an impressive -.058 hitting percentage.

“This was a tough tournament with two opponents each day, but I was impressed with our consistency throughout the weekend,” Xu said.

The Hornets travel to Joplin, Mo. on Oct. 12 to take on Missouri Southern at 7 p.m.

Volley sweeps weekend matches

Competing at home on Saturday at William Lindsey Auditorium, junior middle/offensive hitter Brianna Kaiser smashed the ball into Pitt State territory. It was the third victory in the Lady Hornets’ current four-game winning streak.
Will Austin/The Bulletin

The volleyball team had a successful weekend with two sweeps in two days, beating Central Oklahoma 3-0 on Friday and Pittsburg State University 3-0 on Saturday.

The Hornets opened the season at home against Central Oklahoma. The offense was led by Morgan Buckner, junior elementary education major and right side hitter, who hit had 12 kills.

“What we have worked so hard on in practice is finally paying off in our games, and it is a really great feeling,” Buckner said. “We came in with the right mindset, (and) we handled our business and got the job done with no hesitations, and the results were really positive.”

Junior outside hitter Paige Vanderpool recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 13 digs. Sophomore undecided major, right side hitter and setter Katie Deutschmann led in assists with 26 in total, and added two service aces.

“It was very exciting to finally play at home, and we had been looking forward to it for a long time,” Deutschmann said. “The home opener went really well and we were excited to get the win in front of our fans.”

The Hornets won the game in three matches – 25-18, 25-19 and 25-16.

On Saturday, the Hornets hosted Pittsburg State University. There were only five lead changes on the day, and the Hornets swept PSU 3-0. Deutschmann lead the Hornets on offense with 12 kills and contributed 22 assists as well.

“We went out and played very clean and consistent like we had been working on in practice,” Deutschmann said.

Meg Schwartz, senior biology major and defensive specialist, led the Hornets on defense with 15 digs.

“Overall it was a solid weekend. We came out strong in both games and got the job done in three sets,” Schwartz said. “Everyone is playing aggressive, and it is definitely paying off.”

The Hornets played solid on both offense and defense and controlled the tempo for the weekend. They only committed nine attack errors on the match. The PSU Gorillas fell to 8-6 and are 0-5 on the season. The Hornets improved to 8-4 and 2-1 in MIAA play.

The Hornets play at 6 p.m. Friday against the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The next home game is at 3 p.m. Oct. 20 against Northwest Missouri State University.

Volleyball now 9-4 after Tuesday victory

Sweeping their fourth straight match, the Emporia State volleyball team improved their record to 9-4 with a Victory over Newman University in Wichita Tuesday night.

Closing the first set with an 8-4 run, the Hornets had a 25-14 victory. Newman picked up their game the next two sets, but still fell, 25-20, to the Hornets.

Hitting .473 percent while holding the Newman to a .138 hitting percentage helped sophomore setter and right hitter Katie Deutschmann rack up a double-double with 12 kills and 21 assists, her second for the year.

Junior middle Brianna Kaiser helped with 10 kills and seven digs, and senior defensive specialist Meg Schwartz led the team in digs with nine. Freshman setter Sydney Hartman also assisted on 23 kills.

According to ESU’s website, this streak makes Head Coach Bing Xu’s record 182-67 in the eight years he has coached here.

Hornets’ record suffers after weekend tourney

Junior middle/outside hitter Brianna Kaiser delivers a spike in an away game against Washburn University on Tuesday. The night ended in a defeat for the Lady Hornets.
Photo courtesy of Mike Goehring/Washburn Review

The Hornets volleyball team traveled to Rolla, Mo. for the Middle of Everywhere Classic last weekend. In the first match, Emporia State took on Northern Michigan and fell in five sets. Their record moved to 4-1, and the match had seven lead changes and 14 ties. Three Hornets were in double figures.

The Hornets then played Missouri-St. Louis and won in three sets, earning them a split on the opening day of the classic, improving their record, 5-1.

Day two was more of a challenge for the Hornets, having to take on the #3-ranked Southwest Minnesota State team. The Hornets fell in three matches. They then faced Upper Iowa and fell in five sets, their record falling to 5-3 on the season.

“Overall, I thought the weekend went well,” said sophomore Katie Deutschmann. “Although the games didn’t always end in our favor, we learned from the mistakes we made, and we will use what we learned in our upcoming games this week.”

Junior Brianna Kaiser ended the tournament with three double-doubles, and Deutschmann recorded a triple-double in the final match with 10 kills, 19 digs, and 25 assists. Kaiser earned her third double-double of the weekend with 14 kills and 21digs. Senior Meg Schwartz led in digs with 33 total in the final match.

“We lost two games that we definitely should have won,” Schwartz said. “It was frustrating because nothing was falling into place for us. We are focusing on getting better at practice today and get things rolling for our game against Washburn Tuesday.”

According to ESU game notes from the Athletic Department, ESU currently leads Washborn in the series, 63-26. ESU has played Washburn more than they have played any other opponent in volleyball.

This time the Hornets were unable to overcome the #5-ranked Washburn in the first “Turnpike Tussle” this season. The Hornets fell in three matches against the Ichabods.

Junior Morgan Buckner had nine kills on 15 attempts to lead the ESU offense.

“The game could have gone a lot better,” Buckner said. “It was a hard loss, but we will be quick to bounce back – it is only the beginning of the season. We have a lot to work on, and we see that on the court but we are a very talented team with a lot heart and we just need everything to fall together.”

The Hornets are now 5-4 on the season. The next time the Hornets take on Washburn is Oct. 23.

“We are a new team, and we have nothing to lose as of right now,” Buckner said. “So next time around we will be ready to attack, and there will be no excuses.”

The Hornets’ next game will be Sept. 15 at Missouri Western State University.

Women go 4-0 at Pitt. State Classic

In an exercise to work on strikes, sophomore medium and rear hitter Courtney Harin smashes the ball over the net. After their victory at Northwestern Oklahoma State, the team is on a four-game winning streak. Will Austin/The Bulletin

The Emporia State volleyball team started out the season strong this weekend at the Pittsburg State Classic. They defeated William Jewel College 3-0.

Katie Deutschmann, a sophomore, led the Hornets with nine kills and 16 assists. Senior Meg Schwartz led the team in digs with 19 total. Freshman setter Sydney Hartman recorded 23 assists in her first game as a Hornet, according to the ESU Athletics website.

“My first game as a Hornet was very exciting. I was a little nervous at first, but once we were on the court playing, the nerves went away,” Hartman said. “It felt amazing to get off to such a great start with this team. I’m looking forward to a great season.”

The Hornets then faced Bemidji State University. Carly Spicer, sophomore, led the Hornet offense with nine kills and three blocks, followed by Morgan Buckner, junior, who had eight kills. Schwartz added 13 digs and Hartman led the team in assists with 23. The Hornets defeated Bemidji 3-0.

The Hornets then faced off against Harding University. Schwartz, who had 19 digs, again led the Hornet defense. Juniors Brianna Kaiser and Paige Vanderpool, who both had 11 kills and 13 digs each, led the offense. Hartman led the Hornets in assists, followed by Deutschmann with 20 assists and 8 kills, according to the website. The Hornets defeated Harding 3-1.

Their final game of the weekend was against Northwestern Oklahoma State University, who they defeated 3-0, going undefeated on the season, 4-0.

“It was a great way to start the season,” Spicer said. “My expectations for this year are extremely high. We have a very talented team and have good team chemistry. We are hoping this is our year.”

Schwartz, who had her fourth straight double figure dig match with 11 digs, led the Hornets on defense. Spicer had 15 kills and again led the offense.

According to the athletics website, the Hornets are averaging 14.3 kills per game compared to their opponents’ 8 kills per game.

The Hornets will travel to Rolla, Mo. this weekend for the Missouri S&T Middle of Nowhere Classic.

Athletics is highlight for Schwartz

Meg Schwartz, senior defensive specialist and biology major, have been playing volleyball since kindergarten. WIll Austin/ The Bulletin

Experience is not something Meg Schwartz, senior defensive specialist and biology major, lacks on the volleyball court. She has been playing volleyball since she was in kindergarten.

Although the Hornets did lack experience last season with no seniors on the team, this season is a different story. All but one team member have at least a year’s experience under their belts.

“We expect to go very far this year. With everyone returning minus one, we have great chemistry and are good friends on and off the court,” Schwartz said. “We need to improve on tough situations and being aggressive and on attacking the defense. We also need to improve on playing with a lead and finishing the game.”

In an interview with Don Weast, assistant director of Media Relations, after the Black and Gold Scrimmage, Schwartz said “it seemed like yesterday” she was moving into the dorms and having her first scrimmage.

“Having a crowd behind you makes it that much more exciting… makes you excited and wanting to play for them as well,” Schwartz said in the interview.

According to ESU’s athletic page, Schwartz received an All-MIAA honorable mention her sophomore year, averaging 4.46 digs per set. As libero she was ranked sixth in both single season digs per set and single season double figure dig matches.

Schwartz has also been active in basketball, softball and track throughout her athletic career. Although she didn’t get to compete at state during her high school years, she was still a standout volleyball player and knew that she wanted to go on to the next level after attending some camps and getting a feel for the atmosphere of college athletics.

Schwartz said she chose ESU because she liked the coaching style and the great history of the program.

She said she has enjoyed her time as a college athlete and has made many new relationships because of it.

“Amazing” is one word Schwartz said she would use to describe her team “because we are all such good friends on and off the court. The talent this year is more than I’ve ever seen since I’ve been at ESU.”

After Schwartz graduates from ESU she plans on going to occupational therapy school and getting her masters degree.

“The experience of being a college athlete and the relationships I have made are by far the highlight of my athletic career,” Schwartz said.

Volleyball at ESU has taught Schwartz many things, she said.

“I know I have to discipline myself and manage my time so I get everything done before I have to go to practice or leave for games,” she said.

The Hornets’ first game is scheduled for 12 p.m. on Aug. 31 in Pittsburg against William Jewel College.

Volleyball defeats rival Gorillas, despite slow start

Sophomore outside hitter Paige Vanderpool attacks the ball Friday night at White Auditorium. The Hornets came from behind to win 3-1 against the Gorillas. Chris Franklin/The Bulletin

The Lady Hornets faced off against the Pittsburgh State Gorillas last Friday at the William Allen White Auditorium downtown. After a slow start, the Hornets fought to defeat the Gorillas, 3-1.

Starting off, the Hornets were down 0-3 before scoring their first point. They never did grab momentum in the first set, and nothing seemed to go Emporia’s way as they took their first and only loss, 15-25.

“I could tell during warm ups that we were not mentally prepared,” said Bing Xu, head coach.

But the Hornets looked like a whole new team to start the second set, hustling to fight back. Freshman middle blocker Courtney Haring put up some big blocks to discourage the Pittsburg hitters, adding six on the night, while sophomore Brianna Kaiser attacked the nets viciously. Emporia took the second set, 25-17, off of a kill by sophomore right side hitter Morgan Buckner.

“It was a little rocky in the beginning, but we knew we had to pick it up,” Kaiser said. “We all had to be there for each other.”

With the match tied, both teams came out pumped to start the third set. Kaiser and Buckner continued to add kills as freshman outside hitter Carly Spicer contributed her part as well, finishing the night with eight kills and one block.

The crowd erupted as Spicer hit two kills in a row to make the score 13-8, forcing the Gorillas to call a timeout. When Pittsburg took the lead at 16-17, Xu called a timeout to reassure his team that they could beat the Gorillas.

Freshman setter Katie Deutschmann assisted many of the points, as she added some kills of her own. Just when the Gorillas looked to have the third set within reach, the Hornets responded with three straight points, winning the set 26-24.

“We really had to pick up our game (in the third set),” Spicer said. “Amanda and Katie were setting really good sets. It was a team effort.”

Both teams looked evenly matched at the start of the fourth set. Buckner and Kaiser hit the nets ferociously. Deutschmann, who led the Hornets with 14 kills, 19 assists and three blocks, was not shy as she continuously spiked the ball and tore apart the Gorillas’ back row. The Hornets took the fourth set with a score of 25-15. winning the match 3-1.

“They learned their lesson from the first set and showed a lot of character,” Xu said.

The Hornets will host the Fort Hays State Tigers at 7 p.m. tomorrow at White Auditorium.

Chelsie Slaughter

Hornets win in sloppy fashion

The Emporia State Hornets were off to a slow start this weekend against Missouri Southern. Despite the slow start, the Hornets came back to defeat the Lions, 3-1, in four sets. Throughout the match, ESU struggled with consistent play.

“That’s the kind of key thing right now,” said Bing Xu, head coach. “They play up and down, and they don’t stick to what their job is – that’s how we’ve played, up and down. When we stick with what we’re supposed to, we don’t have a problem. This team is so talented… but recently… the chemistry seems a little bit off.”

The first game saw ESU struggle to find consistent offense as they let the Lions stick around early on in the set. The Hornets finally broke out to a 19-14 lead, but they let MSU back in the set when the Lions went on a 5-1 run to make the score 20-19 in favor of ESU.

The Lions took that momentum through the end of the set as they won the first set 28-26.

“We just weren’t ready to play,” said sophomore Paige Vanderpool. “We didn’t have the right mindset for this game, and once we mess up once, we get in our own head. We just need to stay more focused on every ball.”

In the second set, the Hornets went on a couple of early runs to get up by nine points midway through the set. ESU would not let up and won the second set, 25-15.

With the match tied, it was the Lions who asserted themselves and controlled the game for the majority of the third set. The Hornets would lead 8-7 early on but would not regain the lead until they found themselves up 22-21. A three to two run to finish out the set, thanks to two Vanderpool kills, gave ESU their second set victory, 25-23.

The Hornets did not mess around early on in the fourth set. A 3-0 run followed up by a 4-0 run gave ESU a 12-2 lead to grab the early momentum. But the Lions fought back, closing the gap to two points late in the set. The Hornets held on for the 25-22 set victory.

ESU is now 20-8 overall and 11-3 in the MIAA. The Hornets have won seven straight and 12 of their last 15 matches heading into the home stretch of the season.
“I feel like we’re at our peak of the season, which is the right time to be peaking because we have a potential postseason coming up,” Vanderpool said. “Even though the last couple of games were rough, I still feel like we’re on the uphill climb.”

Brandon Schneeberger/The Bulletin

highlights for brown hair
breaking bad cast
corpus christi tx
epsom salt bath
how to shave

Modest Kaiser kills for Hornets on the court

KAISER

The athleticism that the Hornets bring to the volleyball court is valuable to the team’s success. For Emporia State this season, no one personifies this more than sophomore outside hitter Briana Kaiser.

“She’s so athletic,” said Bing Xu, head coach. “She has tremendous physical ability. She has all the tools and fundamentals, especially defense and passing… she has a lot of potential (and) is very talented and has a lot of natural ability.”

Growing up, Kaiser played many different sports including basketball, volleyball, track, softball and cheerleading. In junior high Kaiser said she realized that volleyball was her favorite sport. During high school she earned all-state tournament team, all-metro, MVP and was a four time letter winner in volleyball at Valley Center.

Photo Illustration by Jon Coffey/The Bulletin

“In sixth grade I was playing intramural volleyball and quit cheerleading,” Kaiser said. Once finished with high school, Kaiser went to Wichita State for two seasons before transferring to ESU.

“I transferred here because I loved the nursing program after I visited,” Kaiser said. “Then volleyball just fit in and I love the game.”

This season, she has made a tremendous impression on both the coaches and the players.

“This year Briana has really stepped up,” said junior Meg Schwartz. “She is one of the leaders on the team. She makes a really big impact and we are really happy to have her here. She is definitely a dominating force on our team… she’s always there encouraging, always supporting the teammates and always has a really positive attitude.”

Although she has 243 kills and 333 digs so far this season, Kaiser seems to be modest. She strives to be a good team player and puts the needs of the team before individual stats or awards.

“Teamwork is the most important thing,” Kaiser said. “Just meshing together with the other girls is very important to me. We practice hard every day. We are a very new team so having that chemistry is vital to our success.”

Her teammates and coaches have noticed how important teamwork is to Briana.

“Everybody likes her,” Xu said. “She is really fun both on and off the court. She is always there joking with her teammates and the team chemistry is right there.”

Marcus Hix

Sport Shorts

Hornets win three straight on road

This past week, the Hornet volleyball team played in three straight road games and were victorious in all three. Emporia State had to work hard for the first game as they came back to defeat Missouri Western 3-2, after finding themselves down 2-1 on Friday.

Meg Schwartz led the team defensively with 29 digs in the match. The Hornets captured their fourth straight victory as they defeated Northwest Missouri 3-1 on Saturday.

Tuesday ESU swept Southwest Baptist 3-0, thanks to 47 team kills – 13 of which came from sophomore Paige Vanderpool. Schwartz had 23 digs in the match. The Hornets record is now 18-8. They will return to William Allen White Auditorium this weekend as they take on Pittsburg St. this Friday and Missouri Southern on Saturday.

ESU soccer earns postseason bid

The Hornet soccer team earned their first ever post-season appearance this weekend with a 2-0 win over Missouri Western.

Both goals came in the first half for ESU as freshman Mallory Walden scored her third goal of the season in the 18th minute. Soon after, Walden scored her fourth goal of the season in the 24th minute.

In the goal, Nikki Schmitz had her fifth shutout of the season, witch ties for the second most ever by a Hornet. She is also tied for second in ESU history with six career shutouts.

The Hornets’ record is 3-9-5. They finished fifth in the MIAA this year, which was their best finish since 2004. The Hornets will play Northwest Missouri at 6 p.m. today in Kansas City, Mo.

« Older Entries