Fort Hays State saw its five-game win streak snapped at the hands of No. 4 Nebraska-Kearney Tuesday, dropping a 3-0 (25-17, 26-24, 25-14) contest at Pass, Set, Pink Night.
FHSU slipped back to one game under .500 with the loss, sitting at 12-13 overall on the season and 6-10 in conference play. The Tigers remain just one game short of tying their single-season conference win mark as members of the MIAA.
FHSU hung tough until 8-all in the first set, but allowed a 5-0 run by the Lopers that gave the visitors breathing room to finish out the set, 25-17.
The Tigers had a chance to tie the match in the second set, but couldn’t pull off the set win after looking at set point (24-23). Earlier in the set, tied 10-all, the Lopers broke out to a 13-11 lead, but FHSU answered, setting in motion back-and-forth play that brought the game to 21-all.
FHSU grabbed control at 22-21, 23-22 and 24-23, but all three times saw UNK answer. At FHSU’s set point, 24-23, UNK broke off with three straight points to take the set, 26-24, and spoil the Tigers’ win.
Out of the break, FHSU led 3-1, but was UNK answer to take a 4-3 lead. Soon after, tied 5-5, UNK used three straight kills from Caitlin Broadwell to take the lead for good (up 8-5). The Tigers couldn’t recover, falling in the third set, 25-14.
Mallory Flagor led the team with 10 kills on the evening, hitting double-digits for the 18th time this season. Flagor’s three blocks (one solo) was also tied for the team lead, with Callie Christensen.
In the back row, Keanu Bradley dug up 18 attacks, while Kristin Conor had nine digs to go with 13 assists, second on the team behind Raegan Vanderplas (17 assists).
The Tigers close out the home portion of their 2014 schedule this weekend with matches against Lindenwood on Saturday (Nov. 1) and Central Missouri on Sunday (Nov. 2). Senior Day is Sunday at Gross Memorial Coliseum.