By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
JOPLIN, Mo. – The Fort Hays State volleyball team dropped a three-set match on the road against Missouri Southern on Thursday (Nov. 9), 25-18, 25-22, 25-16. The Tigers (11-17, 5-14 MIAA) finished the match with just three fewer kills than the Lions, 44-41, but a 7-2 edge in service aces helped MSSU (15-13, 8-11 MIAA) claim victory.
The Tigers fell behind by three early in the first set but bounced back to tie things up at nine following kills from Claire Olson and Ashlyn Reeves. Missouri Southern scored the next five points to take the lead for good, eventually winning the set by seven points.
The teams traded points early in the second set before a 3-0 Lion run broke open a 10-10 tie. The Tigers later trailed by as many as six, 20-14, before FHSU closed within one thanks to a 7-2 run. Mya Vandrovec dropped in a pair of kills during the run before Olson put the Tigers within one, 22-21. MSSU bounced back to score three of the next four to win the frame, 25-22.
Fort Hays State trailed by four early in the third set before going on another 7-2 run to take a 10-9 lead. Reeves helped the Tigers to four-consecutive points during the run, including two kills bookending a pair of combo blocks, one alongside Taylor Hawkins and one with Olson. FHSU kept things close for the next several rallies before MSSU finished off the match with seven consecutive points.
Olson led the team with 11 kills compared to just two errors on 27 swings. Brooke Hyland racked up a team-high 16 digs, averaging more than five per set.
The Tigers will wrap up the regular season Friday evening (Nov. 10, 6 p.m.) against No. 21 Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Mo.