FHSU Sports Information Department
JOPLIN, Mo. – Fort Hays State pulled out a tightly contested match with Missouri Southern on Friday (Oct. 30) by a score of 3-1 on the road. The Tigers had to win two sets by two points, which included a 27-25 win in the fourth to secure the victory. FHSU moved to 17-11 overall and 6-7 in the MIAA while MSSU dropped to 2-21 overall and 1-11 in the MIAA.
Fort Hays State had a seven-point lead in the first set at 16-9 before Missouri Southern came storming back to an 18-18 tie. At 23-23, Sydney Dixon put down two straight kills to lift FHSU to the first-set victory. FHSU trailed by five early in the second set before coming back to lead 16-15. FHSU used a 4-0 run to build a 21-16 lead and then held on from that point to go up 2-0 in the match.
Missouri Southern built a 10-point lead at 21-11 in the third set, but the Tigers put together a furious rally to almost come all the way back. FHSU pulled within two at 24-22, but the Lions closed out the third with a kill. The Lions nearly forced a fifth and decisive set, leading 22-20 in the fourth before FHSU rallied to force a win-by-two situation. Mallory Flagor had a kill to put the Tigers up 26-25, then MSSU committed a hitting error to end the match.
Crystal Whitten and Flagor led the way in kills for FHSU, each with 15. Hannah Wagy churned out 46 assists while Flagor led in digs with 14. Whitten joined Flagor with double-doubles as she added 11 digs.
Bridgette Jaeger led MSSU in kills with 14, while Payton Graves added 12 and Callie Whetstone had 10. Bradyn Wall produced 34 assists and Katie Wiele had 17 digs.
The Tigers play at Southwest Baptist in another conference match on Saturday.
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