In her second season playing basketball for Emporia State, Kelsey Balcom, sophomore nursing major, has become a leader for the young team. Her poise, patience and leadership have been noticed by both players and coaches.

“Kelsey is an obvious leader on our team,” said Jory Collins, head coach. “She is one of our more talented players, even as a sophomore. We are really excited to have her leadership on our team.”

Growing up in Olathe, Kelsey competed in track, volleyball and basketball. She was involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Student Volunteers, where she worked in a sixth grade classroom her senior year.

In high school she focused on basketball with support from her family. According to ESU’s website, she played in three straight Kansas state championship games while leading her team to victory as a senior.

“I am really close to all of my family,” Balcom said. “My parents never forced me to play but have always been very supportive by coming to watch me.”

Kelsey’s sister, Megan, will be joining the team next season.

“My sister and I are very close,” Balcom said. “She is my biggest fan, and I am her biggest fan.”

According to ESU’s website, Balcom was the MIAA Freshmen of the Year and earned Honorable Mention All MIAA last season. She averaged 11.6 points and 7 rebounds per game to go along with four double-doubles.

“Ali V. (Volkens) was a senior last year as a post player,” Balcom said. “She was great. She helped me with a lot of things, helped the whole team with a lot of things. It was a good learning experience all around. I want to continue to improve from there.”

Kelsey has high hopes for the team and their future and plans to work as hard as necessary to reach those goals.

“We don’t want to settle with just being good,” Balcom said. “Every day we want to get better and better. We want to be great. Personally, I want to improve and be as good as I can every day. I need to move away from not thinking as much and just play the game.”

Her presence and leadership on and off the floor is vital to the success of this team. The team chemistry is noticeable to many.

“Our team chemistry is one of the strengths of this team,” Balcom said. “We all get along. We have players at every position that can play.”

Marcus Hix

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Senior guard Heather Robben shoots a lay-up during practice Tuesday afternoon in Gym C of the HPER building. The transfer student from Wichita State has already proven a worthy asset to the team with a total of 46 points in the four games since the season began. Jon Coffey/The Bulletin

In her first season at Emporia State, senior transfer guard Heather Robben is making her presence known on the hardwood. She brings leadership and toughness to the Hornets, and her teammates have taken notice of her aggressive style and passion.

“She is a great leader and always motivates us,” said freshman forward Merissa Quick. “She expects the best out of all of us, and helps us to make sure we are always doing our best.”

Although this is her first season, Robben said the team is unified and shows support for each other, and this unity is noticeable both on and off the court.

“My favorite thing about basketball is the teammates,” Robben said. “I love having 12 girls that you hang out with all the time, have fun with and are always there for you.”

Robben has played basketball since she was 5 years old when she would take on her brother. Growing up she played both volleyball and softball, but she said she enjoyed basketball the most. Robben said she has always played the guard position and enjoys shooting the ball from the perimeter.

Her collegiate basketball career started at Hutchinson Community College for two seasons. She was then recruited by the likes of Texas Christian University and Valparaiso University along with others before accepting a scholarship at Wichita State University, where she would play her junior season. She said she decided to transfer to ESU for her senior season because she did not enjoy her time at WSU.

“I really liked the coaches here at Emporia,” Robben said. “I just did not enjoy last year, and I wanted a new start to my senior season. Plus the girls were really cool.”

During her freshman and sophomore years playing for the Blue Dragons of HCC, Robben became the all-time leading scorer and lead her team to conference and league titles. Robben said she is extremely proud of the accomplishment of attending the National Tournament in her freshman year.

This season, Robben said she does not feel a lot of pressure to carry the team on her shoulders. Although she shows her leadership both on and off the court, she said she feels that it is a team effort and the pressure is not on one single player.

“She really helps lead our team and drives us to work better,” said freshman forward Sarah Wood.

Robben said she thinks the Hornets will do well this year as they shoot to win the national championship. The team is meshing together well as they prepare themselves for a victorious season.

“The coaches here are really encouraging,” Robben said. “They are upbeat and always trying to make every player better. I really want to enjoy this year and just have fun while I can…and win.”

The Hornets will take on Missouri Western at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday in St. Joseph, Mo.

Chelsie Slaughter

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Junior guard Rachel Hanf shoots for 2 in an exhibition game Monday night at White Auditorium. The Hornets won the game with a score of 92-52. Chris Franklin/The Bulletin

The women’s basketball team hosted the Evangel Crusaders Monday night at the William Allen White Auditorium. The Hornets raced out to an early lead and never looked back as they dominated en route to a 92-52 home opening win.

“I thought defensively we played really hard,” said Jory Collins, head coach. “I thought we played hard and the effort was there. We have a lot of young people that have never had to play defense before at a level that it is going to take for us to win.”

In the first half, the Hornets grabbed the lead with about 17 minutes remaining.  But the team allowed the pesky Crusaders to hang around in the first half with marginal shooting. After a timeout with a little over four minutes to go, the Hornets surged ahead by 16 points to end the half, 41-25. The Hornets shot just 35 percent from the field in the first half.

“We have a really good three point shooting team,” Collins said. “In the first half, we made three of 16 from deep…but I’m really comfortable with our top four or five guards shooting when they are open.”

In the second half, the Hornets looked like a much different team. They made 53 percent of their shots from the field, including four of seven from behind the three point arch. Not only did the Hornets step up their offensive numbers, they also stepped up their defensive intensity as well.

Freshman forward Sarah Wood puts up a shot against Crusader defense Monday night at William Allen White Auditorium. Chris Franklin/The Bulletin

Sophomore Kelsey Balcom had an off night shooting, but she did not allow that to affect her effort on the floor. She lead the team in both rebounds, with 11 total, and assists, with five. The Crusaders struggled to match her intensity.

“I think that it’s important to always go out there and work hard and hustle,” Balcom said.  “I think that rebounding is always an effort thing. He (Collins) says that you don’t have to be a good athlete to be a good rebounder, you just have to want the ball.”

Senior guard Heather Robben stepped up her intensity level in the second half as well, forcing a few turnovers and getting a few easy buckets in transition as a result. She led the team with four steals and scored 19 points on the way to winning player of the game.

“It creates a lot more things for our offense, when we play good defense and get transition baskets,” Robben said. “(When we) get to the paint it will create a lot more.”

Overall, the team looked tough in the home opener. Next up, the Hornets will travel to Wichita to play the Newman Jets on at 5:30 p.m. this Friday.

Marcus Hix

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COLLINS

What are this year’s expectations?

Our goals aren’t going to change. We feel like we’re at a level where we’re able to recruit and replace people. We’re still going to try to compete for championships. I feel like this year especially, as soon as those young ones can get up to speed at the college level, then we’re going to be able to be right in the mix. They just need a little time. They may take some bumps early, when they’re getting thrown into the fire, but I know by January and February, once they get acclimated, then we’re going to be pretty good.

Who are some specific leaders for this team?

We don’t really have a single person. Last year everyone looked to Alli (Volkens). This year we have a lot of people that take leadership roles. We’re not overly vocal in that aspect. We are a little bit, but it’s a lot of lead by example for our team… it’s nice to have a balance (of leadership). This year we have six different players who could average double figures. I don’t think anybody’s going to get 18 a game, but we have six that could get 12, 13 or 14 that are capable of getting 20 on any given night. I think that makes you tougher to guard. Obviously, they can’t really focus on one person, and anybody can get you. I think with our depth now that we’re healthy and we have new players in here, we ought to be tough to guard because we ought to be able to have five people on the floor that can score.

Who are some specific freshmen who will make some impact?

(Sarah) Wood, (Merissa) Quick and maybe (Kathryn) Flott a little bit… as freshman post players, I expect them to be in foul trouble early. But they’re big, physical players. They have good skill sets. They’re just lacking some experience – some college game experience. Kathryn is going to play the four for us mostly. Her best skill is probably just putting the ball in the hole. She lacks a little bit in ball handling and in passing – things she didn’t have to do in high school because she played the five. Shandelyn (Stewart) can do a little bit of everything. She’ll play the four for us as well. All of them are winners. They bring a lot of things to the table that we need. Obviously size is the number one thing, but they’re competitive and they’re ready to do well immediately.

How do you replace Alli Volkens?

We brought in four freshmen. Two of them… play her spot. (Volkens) averaged 18 (points) and 12 (rebounds) last year, which are really big numbers. I don’t know if we’re going to be able to make up for points with one person. It’s probably going to be by committee because they’re really young players. What we’ll miss most is probably her competitiveness and leadership more than we will her points and rebounds. I think those guys that we brought in are very talented. They’re just not as experienced.

Brandon Schneeberger

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Senior Alli Volkens works to get past a Northwestern Missouri defender Sunday during the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City. Courtesy Photo Matthew Hicks

The Emporia State Hornets found themselves playing for the MIAA Championship Sunday as well as an NCAA playoff birth. Despite 29 points and 18 rebounds from Alli Volkens, the Hornets never led in the contest and fell 79-63 to Northwest Missouri.

“We got off to a bad start,” said Head Coach Jory Collins. “We spent all game trying to recover from that. We were able to I think get within two there late. We just made too many mistakes.”

It was all Northwest Missouri early on in the first half. The Bearcats opened up a 10-0 lead on ESU before extending it to 13 points.

ESU scored seven straight points in a run that cut the lead to six points. The Bearcats answered with four of their own before Volkens hit a turnaround with three seconds left in the half to cut the deficit to eight points.

Volkens scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds in the half, but the Hornets struggled containing Kyla Roehrig who scored 14 points and had eight rebounds.

“She’s a good player,” Volkens said. “She’s big. She’s tough to displace. When she gets the ball that close to the basket, it’s very easy to score, so she was able to produce.”

The early minutes of the second half belonged to the Hornets. Volkens came out with tenacity scoring 11 of ESU’s first 14 points in the half, helping cut the Bearcat lead to just two with 12:58 remaining in the game.

“To get it down two, that was as close as it was when it was 0-2,” Volkens said. “Obviously at that point of the game we wanted to string together some stops. We just weren’t able to do it.”

Roehrig – who would go on to win the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament award – and the Bearcats proved too much for ESU down the stretch. After pushing the lead back to double digits with 7:56 remaining, the Hornets cut the lead to seven but would not get closer.

Afterwards, Collins noted the injuries earlier in the season that had an impact on the game.

“Obviously losing those three seniors early just really took all our depth away in the post,” Collins said. “Alli V’s obviously been a monster. But she could be even more effective if I could play her five less minutes a game.”

Both Kelsey Balcom and Volkens were named to the All-Tournament Team after the game.

Volkens finished the tournament with the MIAA Tournament record in rebounds with 47 beating the previous mark by 13. She ended her career as the 14^th leading scorer at ESU as well fourth in rebounds and second in blocks.

The Hornets were denied an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament after the game officially ending their season.

“I’m proud of our young players,” Collins said. “They’ve hopefully grown a lot this year, they’ve learned a lot. I think they’re going to be pretty good for the next few years. As disappointed as I am that we’re done… I’m just as excited about what’s coming for us in the next few years.”

Brandon Schneeberger

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For the third time this season the Turnpike Tussle got underway between Emporia State and Washburn. But this time the victory belonged to ESU to break a season series tie and place the Hornets in the MIAA Championship game on Sunday. The Hornets got off to a good start before giving up the lead and heading into halftime down six. ESU rallied, however, and won the game 61-52.

“It feels good,” Head Coach Jory Collins said about beating Washburn. “It feels real good. Obviously they’re your rival, and it feels good to beat those guys more than it does any other team. And our girls enjoy that.”

The contest began the way ESU would have hoped thanks to 12 first half points from freshman Kelsey Balcom who led the team in scoring in the first half. The Hornets opened the game with an eight-point lead with 9:20 remaining in the half.

“I think we’re just executing our offense well,” Balcom said in reference to her 12 first half points. “We were setting good screens. I just happened to be open.”

Laura McMullin and Washburn responded with a 21-7 run to end the half up 32-26. McMullin led all scorers in the half with 13 total points, seven of them coming in the late run.

Alli Volkens (18 points, 10 rebounds) struggled shooting in the half but still managed to get eight points as well as grab eight rebounds and block three shots.

“I told Alli V after the game that her first half was probably as bad as she’s been on the season,” Collins said. “(The second half) stretch was probably as good as she’s been. Nothing changed what we were doing. I just think she made a conscience effort to dig a little deeper to make an impact in the game.”

Volkens made her impact in the second half despite getting into foul trouble at the 16:05 mark. After picking up her third foul, Volkens would return with ESU down two and 12:28 remaining. She would score six straight points in 1:27 to give the Hornets a six point lead, one in which they never let go of.

“I think our team did a really good job while I was out of keeping it in reach,” Volkens said. “It’s tough sitting on the bench, yes, but coming back in I was rested I guess.”

Washburn wasn’t quite done yet. The Lady Blues pulled to within three points with 4:49 remaining after Volkens picked up her fourth foul. However, the Lady Blues would not score for the rest of the game.

“(We) played a great second half defensively,” Collins said. “Obviously to hold them to 20 points is something we’re really proud of and excited about.”

The Hornets now look onward to Sunday’s game about Northwest Missouri, a game in which they must win to keep their season alive.

“They have a lot of good players,” Volkens said. “They’re really deep, and that’s something we’re lacking a little bit in the size. But I think if we come out, we execute our game plan we’ll be all right.”

Brandon Schneeberger

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Freshman Rheanna Egli takes a shot over the Central Missouri defense Friday night during the MIAA tournament in Kansas City. The Hornets won 74-69. Jon Coffey/ The Bulletin

Emporia State survived a late run and even extra minutes to advance past the first round of the MIAA tournament on Friday. The Jennies of Central Missouri fought back to cover a seven point deficit in the final 2:45 of regulation and push the game into overtime. However, the Hornets were too much for the Jennies in overtime as they game went to ESU 74-69.

“I’m sure it was more fun to watch than to coach,” said Head Coach Jory Collins. “Central’s a really talented team, and we knew that coming in. It’s tough to beat anybody three times in one season, and we expected a dog fight, and that’s exactly what it was.”

The game was controlled by ESU early on and for most of the contest. After UCM tied things up at six early on, the Hornets took control leading by as many as eight points.

UCM fought hard though claiming their first and what would be their only lead of the game. The end of the half belonged to ESU, however, as they ended it with a three point lead. Despite controlling the game, the Hornets struggled with turnovers.

“I think Central’s better than their record is and are capable of making a lot of plays with a lot of people, and they did that tonight,” Collins said. “I didn’t want Alli V to have seven turnovers in the double team. She’s been handling it great. She gets double and triple teamed every time she touches it. She didn’t do a good job of getting out of there as she has in the past.”

The game saw much of the same flow until UCM began to take over with less than three minutes to go. Missed free throws by the Hornets helped, and Nicole Caddell made a turnaround with 8.3 left. Rachel Hanf would miss her potential game winner.

“It wasn’t set up,” Hanf said “Rhea (Egli) just handed it off to me, and I got a really wide open look. I thought it was going in, but I got a good look so that’s all that matters.”

In overtime, the Hornets capitalized on their charity stripe opportunities, knocking down all eight of their tries.  UCM would have a chance down one with 17.6 remaining but would turn the ball over. Two Hornet free throws and a missed three pointer by UCM led to a Hornet victory.

“We had a mental lapse there the last two minutes (of regulation),” said Alli Volkens. “But I think we really responded in the first couple of minutes of overtime. Like Jory said we made some plays down the stretch.”

Volkens scored 26 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the contest as Jocelyn Cummings added 17 points. After the win, the Hornets set their thoughts on defeating Washburn in the semifinals.

Brandon Schneeberger

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Kyla Roehrig of Northwest Missouri scored 26 points and grabbed 17 rebounds as she helped the Bearcats win the MIAA Tournament in a game in which they would never trail. Emporia State was down by 10 points early on and could only decrease the halftime deficit to eight points.

In the second half, the Hornets fought back thanks to Alli Volkens who scored 11 of ESU’s first 14 points of the second half. With 12:58 to go, ESU would climb to within two points of the Bearcats after a Volken’s and-one. Northwest Missouri’s size was too much for ESU down the stretch, and the Hornets would lose 79-63. Volkens finished her career as a Hornet with 29 points, 18 rebounds, three blocks and three steals.

Both Volkens and freshman Kelsey Balcom were named to the MIAA All-Tournament team after the conclusion of the game. Roehrig was named the most outstanding player of the tournament.

Brandon Schneeberger

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Round three of the Turnpike Tussle went to the Hornets of ESU Saturday evening. The Hornets came out with aggression only to fall behind late in the first half. Despite second half foul trouble for Alli Volkens, the Hornets fought back to defeat the Lady Blues 61-52. ESU is now 2-1 against Washburn this season.

The Hornets were once again led by Volkens who scored 18 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked five shots. Kelsey Balcom joined Volkens in double digits with 16 points and nine rebounds.

The Hornets are now in the championship game of the MIAA tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, MO against Northwest Missouri.

Brandon Schneeberger

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The Emporia State Hornets advanced past the first round of the MIAA tournament on Friday after a hard fought contest against the University of Central Missouri. Led by Alli Volkens with 26 points and 19 rebounds, the Hornets led for a better part of the game before Central Missouri made a late run.

With 2:45 on the clock, the Hornets were up by seven points and seemingly in control until a late surge by Central Missouri. The Jennies fought all the way back and finally tied the game with nine seconds remaining. A last second shot by Rachel Hanf would be missed, forcing overtime.

Unlike the final minutes of regulation, the Hornets made all eight of their free throw shots and forced a Central Missouri turnover with 17 seconds left and a one point lead. The Hornets made their free throws and put the game away 74-69.

ESU will play in the second round at 8:15 Saturday evening at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, MO against Washburn.

Brandon Schneeberger

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Freshman Rheanna Egli takes a layup past a Fort Hays State University defender Saturday night at White Auditorium. ESU won 54-42. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin

The final home game of the season for Emporia State did not go as scripted offensively despite a 54-42 Hornet victory. The Tigers of Fort Hays State University were held to just 13 total field goals as the Hornets shot under 34 percent for the game. However, the Hornets rallied behind yet another double-double from senior forward Alli Volkens to cruise to the 12 point win.

“We played great defense tonight, and that’s what won us the ballgame,” Volkens said. “We weren’t hitting our threes tonight but we must be saving them for next weekend.”

Although the night ultimately belonged to Volkens, it was freshman Kelsey Balcom who came out and got the Hornets started. Balcom scored eight of her 16 points in the first six minutes of the game as she helped ESU jump out to an early 16-2 lead.

The Tigers responded however with an 11-0 run to cut the lead to just three points. Despite missing all twelve of their three point attempts in the half, the Hornets scored the last 11 in the half to lead the Tigers 27-13.

“I thought we did a good job in the first half – with the exception of that 11-0 run they made – of contesting every shot and just making it difficult for them to get open looks,” said Head Coach Jory Collins.

It was Fort Hays State who came out with the energy to start the second half as the cut the lead to just six points. The Hornets would eventually control the second half despite continuing to struggle shooting. ESU made just one three on the night out of their 17 attempts.

With 1:32 left in the game and the Hornets in control 51-38, Collins decided it was time to take Volkens out for the last time at White Auditorium to a standing ovation. Volkens ended the game with 19 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.

“She’s been a terrific player for our program,” Collins said. “She’s been a terrific representative of Emporia State women’s basketball for four years. She’s a great person, a great student and she’s obviously a terrific player as well.”

The Hornets were able to keep Fort Hays from penetration throughout the game holding them to just eight points in the paint.

“You have to credit the guards a lot for that,” Balcom said. “Because if they’re pressuring the ball like they were tonight, it’s tough to get into the paint.”

 The women are now officially in “win or go home” mode for the rest of the season entering next week’s MIAA tournament. The Hornets will begin post season play against Central Missouri at 8 p.m. Friday at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

“Central first round is a tough one,” Volkens said. “They have a lot of seniors, so they’re going to play with a lot of heart. So we have to make sure we’re going to come out ready to play.”

Brandon Schneeberger

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