Katelyn Kaiser | ESU Bulletin

Written by Bulletin Staff
Monday, 22 November 2010 21:50
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The #17 Emporia State Volleyball team earned the fourth spot in the NCAA South Central Region that took place last week. The Hornets opened against West Texas A&M on Nov. 18. In a four set match, the Hornets pulled away with the win, 22-25, 25-20, 25-21 and 26-24. Ting Liu had an outstanding performance setting the MIAA assists record and getting her first triple double with 11 kills, 39 assists and 14 digs. Other top performers were Brianne Boner with a .429 hit percentage and a career high 22 kills as well as earning herself her first career double-double with 10 digs. Katelyn Kaiser had seven blocks for the hornets.

The Hornets went on to play #9 Central Missouri the following night. They lost in four sets in a very competitive match 22-25, 25-20, 22-25 and 15-25. Top performances were from Paige Vanderpool who had a double-double with 12 kills and 13 digs. Ting Liu also had a double-double with 40 assists and 15 digs. Meg Schwartz had 22 digs for the match, and Brianne Boner had 12 kills and eight digs.

The Hornets finished the season 23-10 and reached the regional semi-final for only the third time in ESU history.

Chris Dvorak

Player Profile: Ting Liu displays love for the game

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 07 October 2010 15:21
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Liu

For senior setter Ting Liu, volleyball has been her life. Since the age of eight, she has been playing volleyball. Originally from Beijing, China, Liu started playing when a coach asked her in elementary school if she wanted to start playing volleyball, so she joined an after school team that met five days a week.

In 2006, Liu came to ESU at age 20 after she contacted an assistant coach at the time to see if she could play in America.

“(I came to America) so I could study English and play at the college level,” Ting said. “We play so many more games, and we have home games (where) we get so much support from the fans. I like that part.”

Head Coach Bing Xu also agreed there is a difference from playing in China compared to America.

“(Her) first year she had to adjust a little bit,” Xu said. “(Playing) in China is a big difference… She learned how to play the volleyball here, and now she is very successful.”

Ever since then, Liu has been an important addition to the team. This season alone she has earned the MIAA Specialist of the Week honor in three consecutive weeks.

“That’s her honor as well as the teams,” Xu said. “With good ball control, all hitters start there, then you get a lot of assists. That’s all teamwork there.”

Liu’s teammate, senior Katelyn Kaiser, praised her abilities on the court.

“It’s amazing, if you watch she looks at where the blockers are, and then places the ball,” Kaiser said. “She has great hands. She can place the ball anywhere, even if it’s a bad pass.”

To Liu, this is just progression toward her team’s goals as well as her personal goals.

“I feel better [about making] the team goals and my goal. Our team goal is nationals and my personal goal is to be All-American again,” said Liu who earned an All-American selection her sophomore year.

At 6 feet 1 inch, Liu is very noticeable on the court, both in stature and knowledge of the game.

“Lots of setters are short, that is her big advantage,” Xu said. “A lot of setters you have to tell where to place the ball.”

Since a young age Liu has always been playing volleyball, and despite constantly playing, she has always fostered a love for the game.

Chris Hopkins

Hornets dominate woeful Tigers, 3-0

Written by ShaneWilson
Sunday, 18 October 2009 13:14
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Right Side hitter Katelyn Schmidtberger spikes the ball past Fort Hays State University defenders Saturday night at White Auditorium. The Hornets beat the Tigers 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-14). Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin.

The Emporia State University volleyball team took care of business in a big way last Saturday night, sweeping the Fort Hays State University Tigers, 3-0.

After defeating the Washburn Lady Blues the previous night, the Hornets were confident, but not too confident in their ability to stifle the Tigers’ attempt at victory.

“Before the game, we had a meeting, we told (the players), ‘Hey, don’t ever, ever underestimate your opponents, no matter who we play,” said Head Coach Bing Xu. “We’ve got to play our own game, keep at our own pace. They did that tonight.”

Junior right side hitter and nursing major Brittney Miller agreed.

“We know Washburn’s always big and everyone’s up on that game, but we know we have no room to slack and come and play a game like this and mess up,” Miller said. “We try to bring the same emotion to every game – every game’s a big game for us. That’s what we’re trying to work on.”

Junior middle hitter and biology and Spanish major Katelyn Kaiser noted the importance of consistent preparation, no matter the opponent.

“We prepare for every team the same way,” Kaiser said. “We try to be a consistent team when we play every team, it doesn’t matter if we’re playing West Texas A&M or Ft. Hays State. We just try to play consistent.”

The game was never really in doubt for the #8 ranked Hornets – the only hiccup came in the second set when the Tigers started off strong with a 5-2 lead. Xu called a timeout and had a pep talk with his team.

“I just told them, at that time, we were following their pace,” Xu said. “We need to pick up our pace…one point at a time. You can’t give up any easy, cheap points to the other side.”

“(Xu) just told us to wake up,” Kaiser said. “If we let a team like this have momentum, then we’re not going to win. We picked it up, though.”

Although the stats highlighted the Hornets’ dominance, Xu believed the game was harder than it appeared.

“Ft. Hays, they’re not an easy game, even though the score seems like, ‘Hey, you guys beat them pretty badly,’ but they’re not an easy game,” Xu said. “We have to perform. Right now, it’s all about our side of business.”

The win puts the team in a favorable position to compete and possibly win the MIAA Championship. Miller said she likes where the team is headed now.

“I feel like we’re at that point in the season where we’re kind of picking it up…as a team, I think we’re working really good together, and that’s what’s giving us a lot of wins,” Miller said. “I feel like we’re getting there. We still have work to do, as always, but we’re doing good.”

Middle Hitter Brianne Boner and Right Side hitter Katelyn Schmidtberger jump to block a spike by Fort Hays State University’s Brandi Bertrand Saturday night at White Auditorium. The Hornets beat the Tigers 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-14). Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin.

Right Side hitter Brittney Miller spikes the ball past Fort Hays State University defenders Saturday night at White Auditorium. The Hornets beat the Tigers 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-14). Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin.