By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
JOPLIN, Mo. – The Fort Hays State volleyball team took the first set Friday (Oct. 18) before falling to Missouri Southern, 3-1 (27-25, 19-25, 15-25, 21-25). The Tigers are now 6-12 overall and 3-7 in MIAA play, while the Lions improve to 11-9 this season and 4-6 against league competition.
The Tigers came away victorious in a hard-fought opening set, with neither team leading by more than three points. The margin stayed within two until Fort Hays State rallied off three-straight to take a 19-16 lead, prompting a MSSU timeout. The Lions battled back to tie things up at 20-20 before Isabelle Reynolds stepped up to record three consecutive points. The sophomore combined with Tatum Bartels for a block between a pair of kills, giving the Tigers a 23-20 advantage. Missouri Southern again clawed back, leveling the score at 24 before Emily Ellis and Morgan West tallied kills on consecutive rallies to hand the Tigers a 27-25 win.
Fort Hays State took an early 9-5 lead in the second set, but the Lions responded with a 17-5 run to pull in front, 22-14. The Tigers fought back within four, 23-19, before MSSU leveled the match with back-to-back points. The Lions then used quick starts to run away with the third and fourth sets.
Reynolds led the Tigers with a season-high 17 kills while adding eight digs, three blocks and one service ace. Morgan West added 11 kills with Emily Ellis and Morgan Christiansen totaling six each. Katie Darnell handled the setting duties, tossing up 36 assists alongside eight digs and two kills. Abbie Hayes led the squad with 19 kills, followed closely by Madison Miller’s 16 digs. Ellis totaled a team-high five blocks.
The Tigers totaled a .116 attack percentage in the match, highlighted by a .244 swing rate in the opening set. Both teams were busy at the net on defense, with MSSU outblocking the Tigers 16-10.
Fort Hays State wraps up the quick road trip Saturday (Oct. 19) against Pittsburg State. First serve is set for 6 p.m. from Pittsburg, Kan.