FHSU Sports Information Department
TOPEKA, Kan. – Fort Hays State Volleyball came up with a monumental win on Saturday night (Sept. 26) in Topeka by defeating No. 7 ranked Washburn in straight sets. With scores of 27-25, 28-26, and 27-25, the Tigers ended a frustrating 19-match losing streak to the Ichabods that dated back to 2006. With the win, the Tigers moved to 9-6 overall and 1-2 in the MIAA, while handing Washburn (13-1, 2-1 MIAA) its first loss of the season.
The Tigers dropped their last 24 contests against ranked opponents before Saturday night in Topeka. The last win over a ranked opponent occurred in 2011 with a 3-2 win over then No. 24 Truman in Hays. It marked Fort Hays State’s first win over Washburn since 2004, when both teams were ranked in a 3-0 win by FHSU in Hays. FHSU was No. 13 at the time, while Washburn was No. 15.
The Tigers needed extra points in each set to pull off the upset. FHSU led 11-6 in the opening set, but saw the lead evaporate on a 5-0 Washburn run. Washburn eventually took a four-point lead before the Tigers stormed back late in the set to tie it 22-22. The teams battled back and forth to a 25-25 deadlock before Megan Anderson and Sydney Dixon closed out the first set with kills.
The Tigers had no letdown early in the second set, building a 10-4 lead. But just like the first set, Washburn went on a big run to tie it at 10-10. FHSU fought off the flurry and moved back in front 15-11 and eventually led by five at 20-15. Washburn made another charge and tied the set 23-23. FHSU had three set points before finally converting on the fourth for a 28-26 win. Rebekah Spainhour had a kill to set up the final set point before Washburn committed a hitting error to make it 2-0 in FHSU’s favor.
In the third set, FHSU built an early four point lead, but Washburn closed and made the set competitive throughout. FHSU fought off a Washburn set point at 24-23 as Washburn committed a hitting error. At 25-25, Spainhour stepped up again for a kill to set up match point. Azlyn Cassaday converted with a service ace out of the Washburn timeout, lifting FHSU 27-25.
FHSU outhit Washburn in the match .205 to .140. FHSU held Washburn under a .200 hitting percentage in all three sets. The Tigers had 11 team blocks throughout the match. Crystal Whitten led the Tigers with 12 kills, while Spainhour added 11. Whitten had a big double-double, adding a team-best 26 digs. Hannah Wagy had 41 assists. Kailey Klibbe recorded 23 digs, while Mallory Flagor added 18 with her eight kills in the match. Dixon and Anderson balanced the offense nicely by combining for 15 kills.
Washburn committed 28 hitting errors in the match. Leanna Willer led WU with 17 kills, while Sarah Vicory added 10. Liz Powell had 43 assists and Alyssa Carney had a team-high 20 digs.
The Tigers hit the road for more conference play next weekend at Central Missouri and Lindenwood.