FHSU Sports Information Department
BOLIVAR, Mo. – After falling down 2-0 against Southwest Baptist on Saturday (Oct. 31), Fort Hays State rallied for three straight sets and a 3-2 win over the Bearcats. The Tigers moved to 18-11 overall and 7-7 in the MIAA.
The Tigers dropped the first set 25-18 and the second 25-23 before rallying back. The Tigers stayed alive by taking a closely played third set 25-23. Crystal Whitten provided the set-winning kill.
The Tigers trailed by five early in the fourth set but rallied to tie the set at 14-14. FHSU pushed in front, but SBU kept it close and tied it once again at 22-22. After trading points, Mallory Flagor put down a kill and Ari Jacobsen delivered a service ace to force the fifth and decisive set with another 25-23 set win.
The Tigers looked to be running away with the fifth set up 7-2, but at 10-6, SBU went on a four-point run to tie it 10-10. The Tigers fought the rally off with a three-point run of their own, going up 13-10. Whitten would go on to provide the match-winning kill for a 15-12 final set win.
Flagor led the Tigers with 17 kills while Whitten added 15. Sydney Dixon had nine kills and Megan Anderson added eight. Jacobsen stepped in nicely on defense, racking up a team-best 18 digs and three service aces. Hannah Wagy had 48 assists and Flagor added 15 digs for a double-double. Rebekah Spainhour had nine blocks to go with six kills.
Mallory Flagor became the eighth player in Fort Hays State history to record 1,000 career kills with her 15th of the match. She has recorded over 300 kills in each of the last two seasons.
Payton White led SBU with 18 kills, Lori Angello had 14, and Kalyn Sotomayor added 12. Anna Stuehm had 53 assists and Taryn Marton led in digs with 22.
The Tigers will play their final four matches of the regular season at home. FHSU hosts Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri State next weekend (Nov. 6-7).