By CAYDEN SANDERS
Tiger Media Network
The Fort Hays State University volleyball team welcomed in-state rival #25 Washburn to Gross Memorial Coliseum for their second-to-last home match of this season on Tuesday. The Tigers had not beaten the Ichobods at home since 2004; however, FHSU defeated the Washburn 3-1 (25-19, 17-25, 25-23, 25-22) for their first ranked victory since 2016.
“This is a big win for the program and everyone involved, but I think this win is especially big for Riley Tinder and Emily Ellis being our older girls and being here in the program for so long,” FHSU Head Coach Jessica Wood-Atkins said.
In the opening set, the Tigers and Ichobods went back and forth collecting points until the set was 13-12 in favor of Washburn. From there the Tigers went on a 13-6 run to close out the set.
Washburn took the second set, 25-17 where the Ichobods became more aggressive near the net taking advantage of the Tigers.
In the third set, Fort Hays went on a four-point run to make the score 18-14. Washburn countered with a run of their own, but the Tigers finished the set with a 5-3 run.
To close out the match the Tigers went on two sets of rallies of five points and another four-point run to win against the Ichobods 25-22.
“We have been talking to the girls about being consistent and not letting a game have highs and lows,” Wood-Atkins said. “Tonight we saw the success of playing consistently throughout a game and I am proud of my team.”
One such player was freshman Ashlyn Reeves. In the match, Reeves made key plays when the Tigers needed to keep the momentum in their favor. Reeves collected 10 points, with five total blocks, and five kills.
“She made some monster blocks today, and for just being a freshman she plays like an upperclassman,” Wood-Atkins said. “Ashlyn [Reeves] has turned it on the second half of the season, it’s like something clicked, she’s seeing the ball better, and she was able to read the hitters well tonight.”
Another player Wood-Atkins was happy with was graduate student Emily Ellis. The 5th year player collected nine kills, 1.5 total blocks, and three digs.
“It was huge to hear that Emily [Ellis] was coming back. She has been through a lot in this program, dealing with COVID and the extra practice season,” Wood-Atkins said. “Emily is one of our captains, and she has done a great job helping Riley [Tinder] lead this team through the highs and lows.”
But for Wood-Adkins, she said this is one of the best wins she’s had in her coaching career.
“When I was at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs we beat Kearney in three. But this one means a lot to me, and to be able to do this with my girls is really special,” Wood-Atkins said.
After the win, Fort Hays State moved to 10-14 on the season and looks to break their 7-7 home mark and have a winning home record Thursday on senior night. The Tigers will host Newman at 6 p.m. in Gross Memorial.