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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Sophomore Kelsey Balcom shoots a free throw during Lady Hornet's basketball game at Washburn, Saturday afternoon. Washburn came out victorious in this game defeating ESU 66-73. Julie Thephachan/The Bulletin

On Saturday the Hornets hit the road to faceoff against the Ichabods of Washburn. Emporia led the series coming into the game at 43-40, having won three of the last six meetings in Lee Arena. Expectations were high, but the Hornets fell short 73-66.

“Anybody can get beat anywhere,” said Jory Collins, head coach. “We did not execute on offense. You will not get any easy baskets on a team like Washburn.”’

Winning the tip to start the game, the Hornets had possession, but Emporia struggled to score early as they made multiple turnovers.

It wasn’t until there were just 16 minutes left when sophomore forward Kelsey Balcom drained a three pointer to get the Hornets on the board for the first time.

Changing to a zone defense seemed to help the Hornets slow the Ichabods down, allowing them to close the score to 18-14 with a little over nine minutes left in the first half. Throughout the half both teams were physical and aggressive, but the Hornets went into the locker room at halftime down 36-27.

“We struggled in a lot of places, and I do not feel that we came out as strong as we should have against this Washburn team,” Balcom said. “We all need to show up at the same time.”

To start the second half the Hornets gave up a quick two-point bucket only 12 seconds in. But a strong defense was executed by the Hornets, causing the Ichabods to turn the ball over early.

The aggressive defense continued on both sides of the court, but Emporia allowed Washburn multiple three point play chances by fouling underneath the basket. Emporia was down by 15 points but managed to cut the score down to within five points with about 38 seconds left. Still, it was not enough to come out on top.

Senior guard Heather Robben led the team with 27 points but was disappointed with the overall defense.

“We need to play better defense and execute on offense,” Robben said. “It is the simple things that matter.”

Collins said the loss was no need for discouragement.

“In our league you cannot hang your head on a game because there is another one coming two days later,” Collins said. “You have to put it behind you as quick as you can and move on to the next one.”

Chelsie Slaughter

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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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The Emporia State Hornets won one and lost one last week. Not counting Wednesday night’s matchup at Lincoln, Neb., the Hornets are 10-2 on the season and tied for first place in the MIAA at 7-1.

On Jan. 5, the Hornets played a tough Missouri Southern squad. Behind Alli Volkens’ 24 point night, the Lady Hornets never trailed and cruised to a 93-69 victory over the Lions. Volkens scored her 1000^th point on the evening and led all scorers. Kelsey Balcom also had a big night with 21 points and five rebounds.

The Hornets were unable to come away with a victory at Pittsburg State on Saturday despite 23 points from Volkens and Rachel Hanf’s first career double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds). ESU was down 15 with 12:13 to go before clawing back to cut the lead to two with 6:13 left. Pitt State used an 8-2 run in the last three minutes to close out the game and won 68-60. Volkens added 12 rebounds to her 23 points, and Jocelyn Cummings reached double figures with 11 points.

Emporia State played against Lincoln last night and is now looking forward to Saturday’s big matchup against Washburn at home.

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Emporia State University named former Brandon Schneider assistant Jory Collins the sixth women’s basketball head coach at a press conference on Tuesday morning.

ESU Athletic Director Kent Weiser talked about the events leading up to the eventual hiring of Collins at the presser.

“For the last seven days, I’ve had daily conversations with a man who’s played a major role in the success of our program, both on the court and in the classroom,” Weiser said.“We talked about not only his qualifications for the job, but about his vision for the future…I am confident that the future of the program is in talented and capable hands, and I’m excited to work with him as he makes his mark on our exceptional women’s basketball program.”

Weiser also talked of the importance of hiring the right person for the job, given Emporia State’s special circumstance.

“One week ago, we learned there would be a change in leadership of Emporia State women’s basketball,” Weiser said.“Whenever such a change occurs, regardless of the sport, it’s important to give careful consideration to the personal and professional qualities needed for someone to assume the responsibilities of head coach.When a program happens to be the reigning National Champions, the consideration is of special importance.”

Collins’ was introduced to a full crowd who showed their appreciation with sizeable applause.

“It is an absolute honor to be named the head women’s basketball coach at Emporia State University,” Collins said.“It’s a privilege to be able to head a program that has the national prominence that we do.The support that the community provides Emporia State makes this one of the elite places in the country to coach and play women’s basketball.That’s why we’re able to attract some of the top student-athletes in the country.”

Collins, a 2002 ESUgraduate, was the prime candidate for the job based on his track record with the program.

Although the administration believed he was the right man for the job, there were a few concerns.

“It was obviously an issue that I don’t have head coaching experience,” Collins said.“I think I make up for that (in that) one of my biggest strengths is that when I started in this program, I was doing laundry as a student assistant.Every year I’ve worked up from that, to a graduate assistant to a full time assistant.I know exactly what it takes at each of those levels for this program to run smoothly.”

Current and former Lady Hornets were pleased with the hiring.According to former point guard Cassondra Boston, the Collins hiring made sense.

“I think it’s a great fit for both him and the team,” Boston said.“Jory’s obviously been with this program for a really long time.He has a great work ethic and I think that work ethic is going to transfer over to everyone on the team.”

Collins looks to join the ranks of five previous Emporia State women’s basketball head coaches with records over .500, most notably Schneider, who left ESU with an impressive 306-72 (.810) record.

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Alli Volkens greets fans Tuesday night at White Auditorium. Volkens was named MVP of the NCAA Division 2 Women’s Elite Eight. Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin.

With a trip to the National Championship game on the line and only 45 seconds on the clock, senior forward Alli Volkens knew what it would take to overcome the #1 team in the nation.

“I think it was just a matter of, ‘If we lose, we’re done,’” Volkens said.“We just put it all out on the court.”

The stakes were ultimately high.The ESU women’s basketball team was facing #1 Gannon, whose record was an impressive 37-0, in the Final Four.

Words turned into actions as Volkens, with the help of her teammates, scored the final four points in regulation.The pair of baskets tied the game, sending it to overtime.

The ball was in Emporia State’s court.Senior guard Lacy Corker knew that the team was in good hands on the low block.

“She’s so competitive,” Corker said.“She wanted it so bad.When it’s a big game like that, it was important for her to go out and do it and she did.”

The Hornets went on to defeat Gannon 97-94.Volkens scored an impressive 20 points off of 6-7 shooting from the field.ESU marched into the National Championship game and won that one too, with Volkens scoring 16 points, pulling down 15 rebounds while also adding five blocks.

Volkens, a native of Reinbeck, Iowa, put together a stellar six-game run in the postseason that earned her the NCAA Division II Elite Eight Most Valuable Player award and the utmost respect from her teammates.

“Alli’s a great player,” said Cassondra Boston, senior guard.“She definitely stepped it up for the whole NCAA Tournament.She’s capable of doing that.She’s half the reason why we won the whole thing because she just really stepped her game up and played hard and played her heart out.”

Corker shared Boston’s sentiment.

“Alli really stepped it up at the end of the season,” Corker said.“I told the press conference people that she showed it in her eyes, and I felt she wanted it so bad and it showed in her game…no one could really stop her.”

Throughout the early part of the season, Volkens had flown under the radar.A nagging injury was partly to blame for her less-than-spectacular performance early on.

“Earlier in the season I was still kind of hurting a little bit from my knee surgery,” Volkens said.“It took me awhile to get over that.With the adrenaline rush of the postseason tournament, it (the pain) kind of went away a little bit.”

The expectations have always been high for the 6’2” junior.

“Coming in as a freshman I was kind of expected to do a little bit, then each year just build upon that,” Volkens said.

She has done just that.Coming off of a freshman campaign where she averaged 5.8 points per game in spot minutes, Volkens averaged 7.5 points per game in her sophomore season.In continuation of incline, Volkens nearly doubled her average this season with just over 12 points per game.

A mere five days after winning the National Championship, Volkens has her eyes on the prize again for next year.While the team loses four seniors who played a critical part in the championship run, Volkens is still confident that the Hornets can repeat.

“I think a lot of our younger players are going to step up next year and have just as much success regardless of how many players we lose each and every year,” Volkens said.“My freshman year we lost (Michelle) Stueve, last year we lost Ida (Edwards), this year we lose (Cassondra) Boston, so I don’t see why not.”

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SHANE WILSON

They did it.

The Emporia State women’s basketball team, in epic fashion, took home the crown jewel of the nation – the National Championship trophy.

I’ve said it in the past, believing myself for the most part, but it turned out to be true. This team had the potential to do extraordinary things, and they did just that last Friday night in St. Joseph, Mo.

Big time players come up with big time plays late into March, and that certainly was the case for this Emporia State team over the course of the six-game 2010 postseason. Brittney Miller, Cassondra Boston and Alli Volkens all made the Elite Eight All-Tournament team, with Volkens capturing the MVP award.

Each player contributed something special to ESU’s magical run to the National Championship. Miller provided excellent on-ball defense and, with her ability to create around the basket, allowed her team to score in more ways than usual. Boston, the natural leader of the team, was nearly lethal when driving to the hoop – something those who have followed her throughout her tenure as a Hornet will surely miss. Boston’s efforts throughout the season earned her several All-American selections from various outlets across the country.

Volkens was on an entirely different level. She was in the zone. She was a forced to be reckoned with on the low block. After looking at her stat sheet (and the MVP award), it’s hard to argue that even her presence in the paint changed the course of the game.

Volkens was unreal.

Needless to say, these three women couldn’t have done the job alone. A truly gifted supporting cast stepped up and made big plays when they needed to in every facet.

For instance, Rachel Hanf’s three consecutive three-pointers all but sealed the deal for the Hornets on their way to defeating Ft. Lewis in the final game of the season. While Boston was forced to sit on the bench due to foul trouble, Lacy Corker provided steady production and reliability at the point. Even Jocelyn Cummings, who had seen sparse minutes throughout the season, came off the bench and provided a spark for the Hornets when they needed it in both the quarters and the semis.

It should also go without saying that the key players and the supporting cast couldn’t have gone as far as they did without leadership and a great game plan from the head coach. In the Elite Eight, Brandon Schneider coached three masterpieces in a row – always knowing when to substitute, who to substitute, who to call on for a big play. It was evident that Schneider’s experience and preparation with this team paid off in a big way.

The Emporia State faithful even played a significant role in the domination of Ft. Lewis. The Civic Arena in St. Joseph was packed with ESU students, faculty, alumni and just plain fans of the game to see the Hornets win.

The place was so loud due to the fans’ chants and cheers, rants and raves that I think both teams got the message: Emporia State isn’t leaving Missouri without a championship.

I think we know how the rest goes.

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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – It took an extra period for the Emporia State women’s basketball team to defeat #1 Gannon in the Final Four last night. The Hornets’ 97-94 overtime victory catapulted them to the NCAA Division II National Championship at 7 p.m. this Friday in St. Joseph, Mo.

Gannon started off on a 4-0 run in the opening minutes until sophomore guard Brittney Miller hit two free throws to set the score at 2-4. It wasn’t until just over 16 minutes in the half remained that the Hornets tied the game with a jumpshot, then took the lead, 7-4, on a three-pointer from senior guard Jamie Augustyn.

The Knights went on a 7-0 run to pull the score out to 11-7 until a three-pointer from freshman guard Rachel Hanf set the score at 14-10 in favor of GU with just over 12 minutes in the half.

Out of a media timeout, senior guard Cassondra Boston nailed a trey to cut the Knights’ lead to three.

Another media timeout paused the action with ESU trailing the Knights 19-22 with 7:55 to play in the initial half.

The Hornets finally took the lead, 29-28, off of a drive to the lane from Hanf. The final timeout on the floor saw Emporia State trailing Gannon 29-32 with 2:55 remaining in the half.

ESU went into the half leading GU, 40-39.

The Knights started the second half off hot, going on a 3-0 run until a three ball from Augustyn gave ESU a one-point advantage, 43-42.

After several lead changes, a timeout on the floor stopped the action at the 15:05 mark with the Hornets behind Gannon by two, 47-49.

Following the timeout, GU went on an 8-0 run that put them up by 10 over the Hornets, which forced ESU Coach Brandon Schneider to call timeout. The timeout didn’t seem to focus the Hornets, as Gannon went up by as much as 16 until junior forward Alli Volkens converted on a traditional three-point play.

A media timeout came with 6:35 remaining in the contest, Emporia State trailing Gannon 65-76. Like the game versus Michigan Tech, the momentum swung in the Hornets favor late in the game as ESU saw themselves down only by five, 71-76, with 5:10 left in the game. Thanks to a three-pointer from Augustyn, the Hornets cut the deficit to two when the final media timeout stopped the game with the Hornets down 76-78 with 3:58 to play.

Emporia State cut the lead to one at 78-79, but the Knights went on a 5-0 run to slightly pull away from the Hornets. With 17.8 seconds on the clock and ESU trailing Gannon 85-87, Schneider called timeout to call one final play for his team.

On the inbounds, Boston took the ball and hit senior guard Lacy Corker on the left wing who in turn passed it to Volkens. Volkens took it to the rim and scored, tying the game at 87-all with 7.8 seconds left before GU Coach Cleve Wright called timeout.

The Knights couldn’t come up with a basket, so the game went into overtime.

A pair of free throws from Miller tied the game up at 92-all with two and a half minutes to play in the overtime period.

With just over 21 seconds remaining, Corker drove the lane and came up short on the basket but was fouled on the way there – Corker drained both shots, putting ESU up by two, 96-94. Another Gannon timeout came with 17.8 seconds remaining.

The Knights ended up throwing the ball away with five seconds remaining and fouled Lenard on the ensuing inbounds, giving her the chance to shoot two. Lenard made the second shot, leaving GU less than four seconds to score.

Gannon could not convert as the Hornets went on to win the contest 97-94.

Schneider said that a quick change to a zone defense late in the game played a big part in the win for the Hornets.

“We had to play a zone defense, and guys, we never practice zone defense,” Schneider said. “(We) made some mistakes in it obviously, but I’m not so sure that it didn’t win us the ballgame.”

Boston led the Hornets in scoring with 21, followed closely by Volkens with 20 and Miller with 18. Miller also nabbed eight rebounds.

According to Boston, patience was a key to getting back into the game after going down by double digits.

“Brandon (Schneider) told us that we were starting to shoot ourselves out of the game,” Boston said. “We were trying to be more patient and get it into Alli (Volkens) so she could put it in right under the hoop.”

Corker agreed.

“You have to have patience,” Corker said. “In a situation like this, when you’re trying to go for a championship, we have to be focused and have faith in each other and we did tonight.”

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Senior guard Cassondra Boston attacks the MTU defense Tuesday night in the St. Joseph Civic Arena in St. Joseph Mo. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin

With a trip to the Final Four on the line, the Emporia State women’s basketball team rose to the occasion and beat Michigan Tech University Tuesday night, 91-85.

The win gave the Hornets a birth in the National Semifinal for the first time since 1999.

Senior guard Lacy Corker drove the lane to give the Hornets their first points of the contest. Following a Tech three pointer, sophomore guard Brittney Miller hit a trey of her own, bringing the score to 5-3.

Michigan Tech went on a 9-2 run that was halted by the first media timeout of the game with 15:48 left to play in the half and a 12-7 lead. After the timeout and another Huskies basket, senior guard Sophia Lenard earned her first two points on the night on a slashing move to the basket.

Senior guard Lacy Corker takes a three point shot Tuesday night against MTU in St. Joseph Mo. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin

Another Michigan Tech three pointer led to another Lenard drive – this time, she was fouled and made the free throw, converting on the traditional three-point play which cut the Huskies’ lead to three, 17-14.

Junior forward Negesti Taylor scored on the low block, getting the Hornets within one, until on the ensuing Hornets possession, Lenard knocked down a three-pointer in transition which gave ESU a 19-17 lead with11:46 remaining in the first half.

A timeout on the floor stopped the action with 7:58 left in the half, the Hornets trailing the Huskies by one, 23-24.

A basket on the low block from junior forward Alli Volkens tied the game at 27-all with just over five minutes remaining in the half.

The final media timeout saw Emporia State down by one point, 31-32, with 3:18 left in the half.

Both teams traded points back and forth until a timeout from ESU Coach Brandon Schneider paused the action with 32.7 seconds on the clock and a 35-37 deficit. The half ended with the same score.

To start the second half, a pair of free throws from Taylor tied the game at 37-all, which was followed by a layup from senior guard Cassondra Boston that gave the Hornets a two point lead.

After a series of trading baskets, a three-pointer from Boston gave ESU a two point edge, 46-44, with just over 15 minutes in the game.

Junior center Nejesti Taylor shoots over a MTU dfender Tuesday night in St. Joseph Mo. Kellen Jenkins/ The Bulletin

Following a media timeout, two more free throws from Volkens pushed the Hornets’ lead to four, 48-44. A basket down low and another pair of charity points from Volkens led the Hornets to a 52-46 lead with 12:30 left in the contest.

Momentum on their side, Emporia State went up by 10, 64-54, with 8:30 left to play thanks to a traditional three point play from Volkens that was followed up by a three-pointer form senior guard Jamie Augustyn. However, the Huskies came back with a 5-0 run that forced Schneider to call timeout with 7:21 to play and the score at 64-59 in favor of ESU.

Out of the timeout, the Hornets put together a small run of their own, getting score to 70-59 with just over six minutes in the game.

The final media timeout of the game came with 3:46 remaining and Emporia State commanding an eight point lead over Michigan Tech, 76-68.

In the end, the deficit couldn’t be overcome by the Huskies as the Hornets went on to win the contest, 91-85.

Schneider commented on his team’s efforts after the game.

“I’m obviously really proud of our guys because I think we just beat a really, really good basketball team,” Schneider said.

Volkens led the Hornets in scoring with a career high 28-point outing on 10-11 shooting from the field, along with eight rebounds and three blocks.

Boston believed that it was Volkens’ time to shine.

“Alli just had a great night tonight,” Boston said. “It was her night tonight. She was on.”

Volkens said that she was in the zone throughout the contest.

“I guess I was feeling it a little bit,” Volkens said. “They were kind of sagging off, and I was open so I just shot it.”

Lenard contributed 22 points off the bench, and Boston added 19 of her own along with eight assists to round out the Hornets in double figures.

Up next for the Hornets is a trip to the Final Four where the team will play #1 Gannon University (37-0) at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in St. Joseph, Mo.

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The road to the Elite Eight is a tough one.

Just ask the Emporia State women’s basketball team, who after three straight regional wins made it to the Elite Eight for only the fifth time in school history and to the Final Four for the first time since 1999.

In a system where hundreds of teams are given the opportunity to compete in Division II basketball, only 64 are accepted into the postseason tournament. Already the odds are against even an above average team. The MIAA was fortunate to even get two women’s teams into the big dance.

Once a team receives a bid to participate in the tournament, the real test begins. This is a test unlike any other o the season: win six consecutive games against the best competition in the country, or go home empty handed.

Needless to say, the stakes are high.

This group of Hornets have made the stakes even higher by making it to the Elite Eight in St. Joseph, Mo. To the average sport spectator, the Elite Eight might not sound like a big deal, but nothing could be further from the truth.

Although we are all tuned to infinite talks of “Final Four this” and “Final Four that,” Division II sets its final stage with eight teams left in the field to battle it out for supremacy.

Emporia State’s side of the bracket has already proven to be as competitive as ever. After a hard fought victory over #3 Michigan Tech, the Hornets find themselves matching up with Gannon University, the #1 team in the nation with an undefeated record.

No one said it was going to be easy.

For the Hornets though, among other things, there is one circumstance that plays to their advantage: location. Having the Elite Eight in St. Joe is a blessing in disguise for the Hornets, as the distance St. Joseph and Emporia is miniscule in comparison with some of the other teams who are still playing.

This is important for a few reasons. First and foremost, the shorter traveling distance makes a relatively easier trip for the team, which allows them to be better rested, in most instances. The closer destination is also imperative for any sort of semblance of a fan base to make the trip – once again, in most cases.

The Emporia faithful have already come out in full swing for the first game of the week, ready and willing to support their team in a time of need.

The fans really have every reason to come out and support this team. The Hornets had a successful regular season that was really only hampered by a last-game loss to rival Washburn. Even after a disappointing performance at the MIAA Tournament, this team still bounced back and won four straight games over tough opponents to get where they are today.

The occasion is one that will surely be remembered, not only by the athletes and coaches, but by the supporters as well.

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