By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
Coming off the best season in the program’s NCAA Division II history, the Fort Hays State women’s basketball team opens exhibition play for the 2019-20 season Friday (Nov. 1) when the Tigers travel to Manhattan, Kan. to play Kansas State. First tip is set for 6:30 p.m. inside Bramlage Coliseum, with tickets available for as low as $5.
This is the sixth meeting between the Tigers and Wildcats in exhibition play, with K-State coming away victorious in all five previous contests. This is the third year in a row that FHSU has made the trip to Manhattan for a preseason matchup. The Tigers kept things close in a defensive battle one year ago to the day, leading by as many as nine late in the third quarter before coming up two points short, 48-46 (11/1/18). Kacey Kennett averages 9.5 points per game in two trips to Manhattan.
FHSU and K-State played annually during the infancy of both programs, with the Wildcats leading the regular season series 11-2. The last regular season matchup was played in 1976.
Fort Hays State returns 10 letterwinners from last year’s squad that finished 32-2, the most wins in a season during the DII era. The Tigers won both regular season and MIAA tournament titles and reached the regional championship game. Among the returners are three All-MIAA performers in Kacey Kennett (second team), Lanie Page (third team) and Belle Barbieri. Four newcomers, including two transfers and two true freshmen, round out this year’s roster.
Two Tigers have strong K-State ties in Madison Mittie and Lanie Page. Mittie’s father, Jeff Mittie, is in his sixth season as head coach at Kansas State. He has led the Wildcats to the postseason each of the last five seasons, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament and a pair of WNIT appearances. Page played for Mittie two years in Manhattan, redshirting her first year before appearing in 25 games in 2016-17.
K-State returns nine letterwinners from last year’s squad that finished 21-12 and qualified for the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Peyton Williams and Rachel Ranke were selected as preseason All-Big 12 honorees this season, while Williams and Christianna Carr return after earning All-Big 12 accolades last year. The Wildcats opened exhibition play with a 75-59 win over Washburn on Tuesday (Oct. 29).