ESU volleyball rallies, takes 5-game victory over Northwest Mo.
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The 21st-ranked Emporia State volleyball team rallied for a 25-30, 30-25, 26-30, 30-24, 15-9 victory over Northwest Missouri State on Tuesday in Maryville, Mo.
ESU fell behind 2-1 in the match before picking up its play in Games Four and Five.
In the fourth game, the Hornets jumped out to a 6-1 lead, as Kristin Fletcher contributed two kills and a solo block in the stretch.
The Bearcats didn’t get within four points after that.
Arica Shepard added seven kills in the fourth game alone.
In the decisive fifith game, ESU posted a .368 attack percentage, getting out to a 4-1 lead.
NWMSU (15-12, 4-4 MIAA) cut it to 4-3, but two kills by Brittney Miller and a block assist from Fletcher helped ESU to a 4-0 run and 8-3 advantage.
Miller added the final kill for the match-clinching victory.
Shepard led ESU with 22 kills and 17 digs, while Brianne Boner added 16 kills and a .448 attack percentage.
Ting Liu contributed a career-high 67 assists, and Amy Byfield had a personal-best 35 digs.
ESU (19-6, 6-2 MIAA) has a home match against Newman next Tuesday.
Tuesday at Maryville, Mo.
No. 21 Emporia State 20 30 26 30 15
NW Missouri State 30 25 30 24 9
Records — Emporia State 19-6, 6-2 MIAA; NW Missouri State 15-12, 4-4 MIAA.