Hailey
The energy was high and the crowd was loud, but even that couldn’t save Emporia State University’s volleyball team from a rough night.
The Hornets faced off against their long-time rivals, Washburn University, in the famous Turnpike Tussle—and things didn’t go their way. Despite their strong spirit, Emporia State suffered a 3-0 loss, ending their month-long winning streak.
This match was a reminder that even the best teams can stumble when errors pile up and execution falters.
Match Overview
Emporia’s Struggles With Errors
Emporia State had trouble right from the start. Their attacking efficiency was unusually low, with a hitting percentage of just .049. That means most of their hits didn’t land where they were supposed to.
Washburn came out strong with an early 8-4 lead, but the Hornets fought back to tie things up. Unfortunately, Washburn responded with a 7-1 scoring run, widening the gap to 15-9.
Emporia showed fight once again, going on a 7-4 run to cut the lead to 19-16, and even pulled within one point at 22-21 thanks to two clutch service aces by senior Brailee Bogle. But Washburn closed the first set strong—and that seemed to set the tone for the rest of the match.
Set Results Summary
Here’s how each set played out for both teams:
| Set | Emporia State (Hornets) | Washburn University (Ichabods) | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 | 25 | Hornets rallied late but fell short |
| 2 | 17 | 25 | Washburn dominated through fewer errors |
| 3 | 17 | 25 | Strong Washburn runs sealed the sweep |
Washburn’s steady play and minimal mistakes made it hard for Emporia State to recover after falling behind in each set.
Coach Murczek’s Honest Reflection
After the match, Head Coach Ken Murczek didn’t hide his disappointment.
“Just disappointed. Clearly, I have to do a better job,” Murczek said. “We can’t get beat on our home floor in front of that environment.”
He pointed out that his team never led the match after the early moments and failed to keep pressure on Washburn. While he acknowledged that Washburn played great volleyball, he also felt that poor decision-making from the Hornets contributed to their loss.
Looking Ahead: A Tough Homestand
Emporia’s battle with Washburn was just the start of a five-game homestand, and it’s not going to get any easier. Their next opponent, Nebraska-Kearney, is ranked #2 in the nation with an 18-0 record—and they’ve swept 14 of their 18 matches this season.
Murczek knows this stretch will test his players’ mindset.
“There’s a lot of volleyball left. We knew this week would be a grind,” he said. “We just have to reset and get ready for Friday.”
He also mentioned that the big match atmosphere might have shaken his team a bit:
“I don’t want to say the moment was too big for us,” he said, “but if we’re not used to big games, we’d better get used to them fast.”
The Bigger Picture
Despite the loss, the Hornets have shown determination and team unity this season. A setback like this doesn’t define their future—it’s a chance to learn, regroup, and return stronger. Facing tough opponents early in the season can help shape their mindset for the matches ahead.
If the Hornets can clean up their unforced errors and regain confidence, they still have a real shot at turning this homestand into a successful stretch.
The Turnpike Tussle may not have gone Emporia State’s way, but it highlighted both their strengths and weaknesses. Washburn simply executed better, capitalizing on every mistake.
Still, the Hornets’ fighting spirit never faded, and their next matches will be a chance to bounce back. With more focus and fewer errors, Emporia State can reclaim their momentum and prove why they deserve their spot among top competitors.