Soccer coach Bryan Sailer practices with the women’s soccer team Wednesday afternoon at the practice field. Wednesday’s practice was the last one before they go on the road to Ada, Okla. Chris Franklin/The Bulletin

Head women’s soccer coach, Bryan Sailer, talks about his background and plans for this season.

 Where were you before ESU and what brought you here?

I was at Barton Community College in Great Bend. We were a member of the Kansas Jayhawk community conference. I was there for four years. I came from Colorado to there. I coached high school before that, but I wanted to step up to the college ranks. (Barton) was a struggling program, but I worked my tail off recruiting and coached them up, and we got better. We won the conference in my second year, and it was the first time the school has done anything like that. I wanted to coach at a higher level, and the opportunity came up at Emporia State. I felt like it could be a real good situation to come in to and try to rebuild and do good things here.

Did ESU’s past record have any effect on your decision?

I would rather be in that situation than be in a situation where they were in the national championship (and) then be here. That’s kind of a no win situation. In a sense there’s only one way to go and that’s up. I’m very impatient when it comes to being good. I don’t want it to take too much time, so in that sense, I felt like we could do it quickly. If I thought it was going to take a long time then I wouldn’t have done it. But I didn’t feel that because it’s a good school. It’s well known academically. It’s a good recruiting area, so I felt that with all those things on our side that it wouldn’t take so long – it would be relatively quick.

Last year’s team struggled with ties – what’s the plan on turning those ties into wins?

It’s finishing games. It’s not settling for ties. It’s as much mental as it is physical. I mean the physical aspects of late game failures or struggles a lot of times have to do with fitness, so fitness has to be very high because it is a long grind. You’re talking about 90 minutes plus another 20 or 30 minutes. So physically you have to get stronger as the game goes later. Tactically, a lot of times in those types of games it’s the team that wins, but it’s the individual that scores. I think we’ve been lacking that type of factor – somebody that just steps up, takes the ball and ends the game.

What are some realistic goals for this season?

I always try to set a realistic goal. This year is the first year there’s going to be a conference tournament. There are six teams that are going to make it – I want to make that. Is it too lofty a goal? If people look at our history, it is. But I think we’re good enough and close enough to make that – even if it’s sixth. I really intend to improve on last year, that’s for sure.

Brandon Schneeberger

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Brandon Schneeberger

About a week ago, a professor divided my class up into groups to discuss a piece of literature that we were supposed to have read for class. As my group discussed the piece, a religious text, it was said, and seconded, that the religions of Christianity and Islam are very similar in their messages.

I believe this statement to be blatantly false, but instead of just stating the differences between the two religions, I would argue for our campus to become more knowledgeable of different religions in general. In this case we will look at Christianity. I argue that having a general knowledge of this religion will have many benefits.

The first benefit of a broad understanding of Christianity is that it forces you to read the Bible objectively. Knowing what’s in the Bible has its own advantages. The simple fact that the Bible is the most printed and read book of all time should be enough. Along with this, I believe it is also the most scrutinized piece of literature as well as the most glorified.

I would further contend that knowing the Bible increases our understanding of literature in general. Being an English major, I have found that a thorough knowledge of the Bible has really helped my understanding of some of my favorite authors. There are so many allusions to Biblical parables, that reading it would make you a more informed reader.

Theodore Roosevelt once stated that, “A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.” Whether you agree with his claim or not, it is difficult to deny that the Bible has been the most influential piece of literature our world has ever seen. I believe that a well-rounded knowledge of the Bible, in the traditional sense, gives you knowledge that all have craved for centuries.

The second benefit would be the knowledge gained about traditional Christianity and why Christians believe the things they do. It gives you a better understanding of where they are coming from in some of society’s biggest issues. Even if you are firmly adamant that Christians are nothing but bigoted homophobes, knowing the reasons why Christians believe what they believe – why many are opposed to abortion and gay marriage – will at the very least cause you to understand their motives better.

If anything, knowing about the Bible and about Christianity will greatly benefit you in understanding its original intentions. The idea of rampant religious hypocrisy is one of the biggest arguments against the church. A comprehensive understanding of what the Bible teaches will enable you to notice true hypocrisy, and allow you to better distinguish between random zealots and the goals of true Christianity.

This is not an argument to believe what the religion claims, but simply to be more knowledgeable about it in an objective sense. And, of course, this logic should be applied to all religions. I have presented one argument for one particular case with which I happen to have familiarity.

In any case, students at ESU should be well-rounded in regards to knowledge concerning religions and beliefs of all kinds. Knowledge about beliefs and philosophy is a lost art in our generation, and though it is not required, should be part of the process of becoming an educated individual.   

Brandon Schneeberger

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Harris

Another member of Emporia State’s athletic department moved on during the off-season this summer. Former track and field head coach David Harris left for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Harris spent 19 years at Emporia State before deciding to call it quits.

“I appreciate what this university and community has done for my wife, Kathy, and me over these 19 years,” Harris said in a press release.  ”I personally have invested myself for almost two decades in running a respected program in the MIAA and NCAA Division II, and I feel good about what we have done.”

The legacy left by Harris will prove to be big shoes to fill. During almost two decades at ESU, Harris managed to be an 11-time MIAA coach of the year as well as a 2001 National coach of the year for Women’s Outdoor Track and Field. Harris also led the Women to an MIAA championship that year.

Former All-MIAA distance performer and assistant coach Eric Wellman will take over Harris’ duties as the cross country coach. Wellman will also serve as the assistant track and field coach.

“It caught me off guard,” Wellman said of Harris’ leaving. “I think we were all pretty surprised. I know that he kind of was looking for maybe one more challenge in his career. (We) definitely (weren’t) expecting it at the time that it occurred… but things opened up for him, and it was a great situation for him.”

Wellman ran for Emporia State from 2003-2008 where, among other accolades, he holds the fourth best time in ESU history in the mile run with a time of 4:08.85.

In addition, Steven Blocker will run the track and field teams. Blocker has served as an assistant coach with the Hornets since 2009 and ran for the University of Northern Iowa in college, as he was a member of three Missouri Valley Conference championship teams.

Blocker also served as an assistant coach at Santa Barbara City College in California before coming to ESU.

Senior cross country runner Asher Delmott noted Harris’ impact on the team.

“He was kind of like a father figure to the track team, just making sure that you’re always doing the right thing, whether it’s in sports or school,” Delmott said.

Despite the new faces for the track and field teams, Delmott sees the program heading in the right direction with Wellman and Blocker.

“It’s been a pretty smooth transition just because (Wellman) has been an athlete here,” Delmott said. “As a graduate assistant, and now as a coach he knows how Coach Harris did it, and so it’s just been a smooth transition.”

ESU begins their cross country season with a home event at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sep. 2. They also have a second home meet at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sep. 30.

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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Senior Robert Moores looks to take a shot against Fort Hays State University Saturday night at White Auditorium. The Hornets won 81-77. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin

Despite 31 points from Fort Hays State Guard Dominique Jones, the Emporia State Hornets were able to control much of Saturday evening’s game and eventually pull away for an 81-77 victory on senior night.

            “Everybody wanted to win,” said Senior Michael Tyler. “We didn’t want to end our season bad. Everybody was talking about the MIAA tournament. We had to come back and play hard. Everybody knew that, so we did that tonight.”

Much like the last time the two teams met, the Hornets were able to stick with the Tigers. The first half saw ESU jump out to an impressive 16-6 led behind seniors Matt Boswell (nine points, four rebounds) and Tyler (18 points, eight rebounds).

            The Hornets would take an eight point lead into the half after Jones made a shot for FHSU as time expired. Tyler scored 13 of his 18 in the first 20 minutes of play, and the Hornets’ defense held strong holding the Tigers to just 35.5 percent shooting to their own 48.4 percent.

            ESU opened up a 13 point second half lead in the first three minutes of the half. However, Fort Hays would take their first lead with 6:28 left after scoring seven unanswered points.

            The teams would continue to battle back and forth. After a three pointer by Jones to tie the game with 3:48 left, the Hornets would hold Fort Hays to just two points in the next two minutes. Sophomore guard Taylor Euler (18 points, five rebounds) hit a big three with 1:01 remaining and added six free throws in the final minute to put Fort Hays away for good.

            “Last week really helped me with my confidence,” Euler said. “You look back on that experience, and say ‘I hit them then, I can hit them now.’ And this time you have the home crowd, the good vibes good luck. I was just able to step up and knock them down.”

            ESU honored their seniors before the game. They were both happy with the last two wins and looking forward to the weekend’s upcoming action.

            “It’s going to be pretty nice if we can go down to Kansas City, win a couple of games and be playing for a championship,” said Senior Adam Holthaus. “Definitely those last two games… (are) definitely a big confidence boost.”

            The Hornets (15-13, 12-10) are the sixth seed in the MIAA tournament. They will face Washburn in a rematch from last week’s game at 8:15 p.m. Thursday at Municipal Coliseum in Kansas City, Mo.

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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The Emporia State baseball team took on the Ottawa Braves yesterday afternoon at Glennen Field in a game that was

Senior Andy Cotton throws to first base Wednesday afternoon at Glennen Field. The Hornets beat Ottawa 5-3. Jon Coffey/ The Bulletin

 scheduled earlier in the week due to lost games over the weekend. The Hornets were able to get runs in the third, fifth and sixth innings to earn a 5-3 victory.

            “We still don’t know a whole lot about our baseball team,” said Head Coach Bob Fornelli. “At least we got an opportunity to get out and play somebody else in a different uniform. Ottawa did a good job and came out here and played hard.”

            Things picked up for ESU (3-0) in the third inning as Senior Second Baseman Andy Cotton hit a home run off the first pitch of the inning to give the Hornets a one run lead. After stealing second, senior infielder Jacob White scored for the Hornets off a second double by Senior Shortstop Dillon Hazlett to center field.

            “That was a fastball,” Cotton said about the home-run. “I’m not a very big guy. I’m looking to go the other way up the middle… It got in on me a little bit. It was just one of those swings. I put a good swing on the ball, and it carried out for me.”

Hazlett himself scored in the inning off a David Albritton single up the middle.

            In the bottom of the fifth, Hazlett continued his good day with his third hit as he led off with a single. Hazlett was advanced to third off a line out to center by Travis Whipple. Albritton again brought Hazlett home with an RBI single up the middle to give the Hornets a 4-0 lead.

            Ottawa finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth after a two-run home run by Right Fielder Dustin Balmer with two outs in the inning.

            In the bottom of the sixth, Joe Kornbrust reached base on a fielder’s choice. Kornbrust went on to steal second and third before being brought home off an RBI bunt by White giving ESU a 5-2 lead.

            The Hornets survived a scare in the eighth inning. With one out in the inning and two runners on base, ESU secured two outs off a fielder’s choice and a fly out to left field. The Hornets held on in the ninth, allowing only one more run to get their third win of the season.

            “We’ve played three games now in it seems like three, four weeks – a month,” Fornelli said. “This weekend’s going to be a big part to our season. Because we’re going to get an opportunity to play four games in a row, and it’s our job to out there and get better day in and day out.”

            The Hornets are finished with the non-conference season and will begin the conference season this weekend. A three-game series will be held March 4-6 at Pittsburg State.

Brandon Schneeberger

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It was neck and neck until the final minutes in what was the second meeting between Emporia State and Washburn. With 3:30 left in the game, sophomore guard Taylor Euler hit a three-pointer to break a 60-60 tie and spark a 7-0 run. Washburn would not recover as ESU won the game 73-68.

“The most important thing to me was that we competed as well as we have all year,” said Head Coach David Moe. “We got a little discouraged at times in the first half, but I think getting into the tournament after that last game relieved a lot pressure.”

Neither team took control in the early minutes with neither taking a lead larger than six points. With 3:49 left in the half, however, the Ichabods began what was an 8-0 run to end the half to give themselves a six point edge entering halftime.

Matt Boswell led the way for ESU in the first half scoring seven of his 15 in the half. Turnovers plagued the Hornets as they committed eight.

ESU fought back in the second and eventually tied the Ichabods with 14:03 remaining after a three by senior guard Robert Moores (eight points, seven assists).

Once again, neither team was able to pull away from the other until Euler’s three with 3:30 remaining. The second half saw five ties and 11 lead changes all within a 10:30 stretch of play.

“It was definitely a grind out game back and forth,” Burnette said. “We just knew that we had to match their intensity and keep fighting.”

With 3:30 left however, Euler made a deep three to break what would be the final tie of the evening. After two missed Washburn free throws, a free throw by senior guard Xavier Burnette (19 points, seven rebounds) and another three by Burnette, the Hornets were up by seven and would not look back.

Washburn would cut the lead to two points with 14 seconds remaining, but Euler would strike again as he made all four of his free throws in the final seconds to clinch the victory for the Hornets.

Despite hearing chants of “air-ball” throughout the night for a first half air ball as the shot clock wound down, Euler was able to make three of his four attempted threes as well as all four of his free throws late in the game in route to his 13 points.

“You get that (chants) all through high school,” Euler said. “You just have to have fun with it because if you don’t have fun with it, than it’s just going to get to you, and you’re going to get out of your game.”

The Hornets look to keep the success going as they prepare for the MIAA tournament. Their next game is at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at White Auditorium in what is the final home game.

Brandon Schneeberger

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It didn’t happen right away, but the ESU men’s basketball team finally pulled away from Lincoln University Saturday evening. Poor shooting from beyond the arc in the first half helped keep Lincoln in the game until the Hornets outscored Lincoln by eight points in the second half to win the game 84-60.

“In the first half we’d go out and do what we wanted how we wanted and struggled,” said Head Coach David Moe. “Luckily we were still in the game at halftime, came out in the second half and came out and played the way we needed to play.”

The first half for the Hornets may not have been pretty, but ESU was still able to maintain the lead. Although the Hornets kept Lincoln from shooting well on the defensive end, they struggled themselves as they settled for ten three pointers and made only one. Emporia State was led in the half by senior guard Robert Moores who had 10 of his 12 in the first half.

The Hornets came out sluggish again in the early goings of the second half as Lincoln went on a 10-4 run to open things up and tie the game at 40. However, ESU would counter with a 19-4 run of their own to lead 59-44 with 11:59 remaining.

“Definitely, in the second half, our defense kind of sparked our offense there,” said Senior Guard Matt Boswell who had 11 points and five rebounds. “Once we started getting some stops, we got easier buckets on the offensive end.”

Despite the hot shooting from the Blue Tigers in the second half (65.2 percent), the Hornets were able to force 12 second half turnovers and get easy buckets in transition. After the big run, the Hornets would lead by as many as 20 points with 3:15 left and didn’t allow Lincoln anywhere closer than 14.

Xavier Burnette led the way with 14 points and four rebounds. ESU saw strong contributions from the bench especially from Michael Tyler who scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds.

“Mike does come off the bench,” Boswell said. “But he’s one of our better players, better scorers. When we get it to him inside, he really uses his body well (and) makes stuff happen for us on the offensive end.”

Barring Wednesday night’s action, the win puts the Hornets at 10-10 in the MIAA and alone in sixth place. The Hornets are a game ahead of Missouri Western and Pittsburg State and two games ahead of Southwest Baptist.

The Hornets played Washburn on Wednesday night in the second round of the Turnpike Tussle. They return to White Auditorium for their final home game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday against Fort Hays State.

Brandon Schneeberger

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Boswell

For Senior Guard Matt Boswell, versatility has defined the way he has played through his basketball career at ESU – a career which began when he was very young.

“I started playing basketball when I was as young as I remember, two or three years old” Boswell said. “My biggest influence since I’ve been playing is my dad. He’s been working with me ever since I’ve been a little kid, practicing with me (and) playing whenever he could.”

            This influence led Boswell to a successful high school career at Kapaun Mt. Carmel in Wichita where he led the Wichita City League in scoring both his junior and senior years while helping them earn their first Wichita City League title in 31 years during his junior year.

            It wasn’t until high school that Boswell began his late growth spurt. After growing four inches during his sophomore and junior years, Boswell notes that he played most of his life as a point guard.

“As young as I can remember, I’ve always been a point guard,” Boswell said. “That definitely shows in my ball-handling skills and the way I can see the floor sometimes. Coach (David) Moe will play me wherever. This year a lot of times I’ll be playing in the post, since I’m one of our taller guys. But last year I played point guard for our team.”

            Fellow Senior Guard Xavier Burnette recognizes the versatility that Boswell brings to the team.

            “Bos is one of those guys who is really versatile,” Burnette said. “He can pretty much do it all. He can score, rebound block shots. And he’s long (which) allows him to do a lot of things that the average player couldn’t do.”

            Boswell has brought this versatility to Emporia State where he has slowly grown into a leader for the Hornets. This year Boswell is averaging almost 11 points per game as well as 5 rebounds and currently leads the guards on the team in field goal percentage.

            Another strength of Boswell’s game is the effort he gives on the court every time the Hornets play.

             “I think he works hard and gives effort,” said Head Coach David Moe. “Everybody knows that Bos is giving the effort when he’s out there, all the time. There’s no question. Bos might make mistakes, but they know he’s giving everything that he has.

            As the basketball year begins to wind down and Boswell’s career at ESU comes to a close, he looks back the times he’s had.

“Through the years, I’ve had a lot of different teammates through my freshman to senior year,” Boswell said. “But as guys have come and gone, I’ve had a lot of great friendships a lot of great memories out on the court as well.”

Brandon Schneeberger

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Emporia State’s defense held with 6.1 remaining as round two of the Turnpike Tussle turned into a charity stripe scuffle

Senior Alli Volkens takes a layup against Washburn Wednesday night at Topeka. The Hornets won in overtime 61-59.

 before eventually going into overtime and ending in a 61-59 Hornet victory. With 6.1 seconds left to go and ESU up by one, the Hornets kept Washburn from attempting a shot to get the overtime victory.

            “It was awesome,” said Senior Forward Alli Volkens. “We needed to finish the season strong. To come in here and get a win was huge for us. Senior year, beat ‘em here. Can’t get any better.”

            The Hornets opened the first half with a two-headed attack as Volkens and Freshman Forward Kelsey Balcom combined for 24 of the Hornet’s 31 first half points. Volkens scored 15 of her 23 total points in the first half.

            The game saw momentum shift back and forth as early on it went to the Hornets who opened up with a 19-9 lead. The Lady Blues countered with a 10-0 run to tie the game before ESU responded themselves going on their own 10-0 run to reclaim a 10 point lead.

The half ended in Washburn’s favor after a 7-2 run ending in a buzzer beater by Washburn guard Alyssa Mullen cut the Hornet lead to five points.

“Any ESU-Washburn game is going to have a lot of runs,” said Sophomore Guard Jocelyn Cummings. “Washburn had their runs. We had ours. We ended up punching it out in the end.”

The Lady Blues carried their momentum from the first half into the second as they went on a 7-0 run to take their first lead of the game.

ESU fought back with an 11-0 run behind three pointers from Cummings and Balcom as well as and-one from freshman guard Rheanna Egli.

The game would come down to free throw shooting after Washburn cut the lead to single digits in the final minutes. With both teams in the double-bonus, it came down to two big free throws from Alli Volkens with 1:44 remaining to give ESU a 55-53 lead. After free throws from Washburn, ESU would hold the Lady Blues to a difficult last second shot attempt to force overtime. 

“We played great defense,” Volkens said. “We had a few mental lapses in which we’d foul the jump shooter, but I think down the stretch we really made them make some tough shots.”

Volkens finished what she had started in the first half as she scored four decisive points as well as grabbed a big rebound with 36.0 left in the game. With a 61-59 lead, the Hornets would run the clock down to six seconds after a shot clock violation. After a Washburn timeout, the Hornets defense didn’t allow the Lady Blues to get a shot off, securing the victory.

“Nothing about this team discourages me,” said Head Coach Jory Collins. “We’re young and inexperienced. I’m inexperienced. But we’re fighting hard together and I’m proud of them today.”

The Hornets – 17-8 overall and 14-7 in the MIAA – will look to continue their success at 5:30 p.m. Saturday as they take on Ft. Hays State in what is the final game at White Auditorium.

Brandon Schneeberger

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