Story by CAYDEN SANDERS Photos by KATIE KUHLMAN
Tiger Media Network
After starting the season 9-1 and winning their first conference match, Fort Hays State University volleyball hit a rough patch entering Tuesday’s contest against No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney, having lost three straight MIAA matches.
While UNK defeated FHSU three sets to one, the Tigers became just the third team to win a single set against the Lopers all season. UNK also entered Tuesday’s contest with two separate impressive streaks of set wins. The Lopers started the season with 30 set victories before Rockhurst stole a set on Sept. 20. UNK then won 16 more sets before NWSMU took a set last Saturday.
“You have to be really proud of the team that they were not intimidated. They came out to fight, they came out with a game plan and they fought hard,” FHSU Head Coach Jessica Wood-Atkins said. “I think that if you are going to be in a match like that, that is the best kind of match to be a part of. Thats the best type of volleyball you want to play.”
Ashlyn Reeves runs a slide to tip the ball over the net. 
Ashlyn Reeves and Claire Olson go up for the block against their opponent. 
Ashlyn Reeves and Caiya Stucky block the attempted spike from their opponent. 
FHSU celebrates a point scored against UNK. 
Caiya Stucky jump sets the ball to her outside hitter. 
Grace Schmedding and Taytum Lovesee manage to block the spike. 
Caiya Stucky dumps the ball over the net to throw her opponent off. 
Taytum Lovesee and Claire Olson reach for the double block. 
Claire Olson aims around the block to get the kill. 
Caiya Stucky jump sets the ball to her right side hitter. 
Claire Olson tips the ball away from her opponent to win the point.
Despite UNK’s 22 first-set kills, FHSU (9-5, 1-4) started off hot, winning the first set 27-25 while hitting an impressive .371 compared to just .241 for the Lopers. FHSU also limited first-set attacking errors to just three, while UNK had eight.
Freshman outside hitter Grace Schmedding knew that UNK (17-0, 5-0) would be a tough opponent, but the team’s approach was to play free and without any tightness.
“They are the No.3 team in the nation, and we were underdogs going into the match. There was nothing to lose from this match, and we gave it our all, and it worked in our favor to start the match” Schmedding said. “We had the No. 3 team in the nation scared, I think that that says a lot about our progress. We are not satisfied with where we are at, but it does say alot about our work ethic.”
Nebraska Kearney took control of the game from the second set on winning (25-17, 25-22, 25-16). However, the Tigers scored 82 points against UNK, the most the Lopers have surrendered this season.
FHSU also out-blocked UNK at the net 15-8. Red-shirt freshman Taytum Lovesee contributed 10 block assists, with one solo block, and contributed to three straight points after three blocks that were unanswered by UNK.
“Everyone from the team was asking me what was going on, and I don’t know. I don’t know what got me going, but I got in the rhythm of them, and I was there and it worked out perfectly for me,” Lovesee said.
Gracie Rains and Clare Olson each had 13 kills to lead FHSU, while Schmedding added 10 kills and two service aces. UNK’s Mia Berg led all players with 19 kills.
“I go out and play like I am not a freshman, I know they are going to be scouting me and they are going to know that I am a freshman, and I have to go out and say I want the ball,” Schmedding said. “I am grateful that I have teammates that are by my side, and it does boost my confidence a lot because I get into my head a lot.”
After the game, Wood-Atkins spoke highly about her two young players.
“I could not be more proud of Schmeddy (Schmedding). She has had to stand up to a level of play that she has not seen in her life. She is playing in six rotations, and for a freshman that is a lot to ask, I think she is getting tested and tested daily. If she grows from this her future is so bright,” Wood-Atkins said, “For Taytum Lovesee, we always knew that kid could block, but tonight she showed you exactly what she could do. She is an athlete, she is a hard worker, and she has such good vision for the court and the hitters, and I am just really proud of her tonight.”
The Tigers will stay at home to wrap up a five-game home stand this weekend after having played five straight road games.
“The nice part about being at home is really off the court, truthfully,” Wood-Atkins said. “We are in the middle of midterms and that can bring a lot of stress, and not being on the road is helping our bodies, not being on a bus, or feeling cooped up but being able to sleep in our own beds is a blessing to be able to have that at this point in the season.
FHSU hosts in-state rivals Washburn (12-3, 3-2) on Friday and Emporia State (11-4, 3-2) on Saturday.
“I hope the girls take it for what it is, I think that we are not satisfied and I am glad because that means that we are hungry,” Wood Atkins said.