Fort Hays State University dropped its third consecutive match on Saturday, falling 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-20, 25-20) to Northwest Missouri State on the road.
It was the third straight 3-1 loss for FHSU (13-16, 7-13 MIAA), dropping the team three games below .500 with two games to go in the regular season.
Down seven midway through the first set (15-8), FHSU was stuck around the seven-point deficit for much of the match until facing set point (24-16). From there, the Tigers rallied with seven unanswered to cut the Bearcats’ lead to one and nearly forcing a win-by-two situation, but an FHSU attack error ended the set, 25-23.
The Tigers tied the match in the second set, leading for much of the second half of the game while picking up a 25-22 set win. Tied at 13-all, FHSU grabbed two quick points to take the lead for good, stretching it to three (17-14) before NWMSU climbed back to a one-point deficit (19-18). Up 22-21, a kill from Taylor Mares and a Bearcat attack error gave FHSU breathing room to clinch the set.
Game results for the third and fourth sets proved similar in the Tigers’ loss, as FHSU hung tough for much of the sets before a late run by NWMSU put things away.
Tied 15-all in the third, a three-point burst for the Bearcats provided separation, and at 20-17, NWMSU ran off three more to put things away in a 25-20 set win. For the fourth, the teams were all square at 16-16 before another three unanswered for NWMSU gave them the lead for good. FHSU couldn’t recover, falling 25-20 in the fourth set.
Mares led the way with 12 kills for FHSU, posting her 12th double-digit match of the season. Kaitlin Bradley had nine kills while Mallory Flagor and Callie Christensen each had eight kills and five blocks. Rebekah Spainhour‘s six blocks was a team-high.
Raegan Vanderplas continued her strong play as the starting setter, totaling 28 assists. She was joined in the two-setter formation by Kristin Conor, who had 18 assists. In the back row, Keanu Bradley dug up 18 attacks, while Kaitlin Bradleywas second with 14 digs.
FHSU heads for Topeka, Kan. on Tuesday to face Washburn in a conference match. Game time is 7 p.m.