FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State University volleyball team will look to build upon a strong opening weekend when it heads to Salt Lake City, Utah for four matches as a part of the 2016 Fairfield Inn & Suites Volleyball Invitational. Westminster College is hosting the event, with all 10 matches taking place inside Behnken Field House.
The Tigers will open play on Friday (Sept. 9) when they face off with Texas A&M-International at 1 p.m.* before matching up with Western New Mexico at 7 p.m. FHSU will return to the court on Saturday (Sept. 10) at 1 p.m. with a contest against Westminster. The weekend will wrap up with a 5 p.m. match against Minot State.
Tickets are available on a daily basis for $10 and $8 for children, while tickets for both days can be purchased for $15 and $12 for children. Free live video and live stats will be available for every match in the tournament. Fans can find more information here 2016 Fairfield Inn & Suites Volleyball Invitational.
Fort Hays State is 15-6 when playing in the Mountain Time Zone under head coach Kurt Kohler. The Tigers do not have much experience against this weekend’s opposition, having played just four combined matches against their opponents.
The Tigers head to Salt Lake with a perfect 4-0 record after sweeping the competition last week in the Aggies Challenge. It was the first time the team won its first four matches since 2012. Kohler’s squad compiled a .273 hitting percentage for the weekend, holding its opponents to a minuscule .069 attack percentage. FHSU recorded 39 blocks through the four matches, nearly twice as many as the 20 tallied by opponents.
Crystal Whitten led the team with 56 kills, adding 40 digs and six total blocks to earn Tournament MVP honors. The senior’s 4.0 kills per set currently rank in a tie for first in the MIAA. Megan Anderson hit at a .309 clip, compiling 27 kills and 17 total blocks. Callie Christensen recorded a team-best 21 blocks, averaging 1.5 blocks per set. Senior setter Hannah Wagy earned All-Tournament status after tossing up 135 assists last weekend, averaging 10.38 per set. Sophomore Ari Jacobsen tallied a team-best 41 digs while tying for the team lead with four service aces.
FHSU vs. Texas A&M-International
Friday, September 9, 1 p.m. FHSU leads all-time series, 1-0
Salt Lake City, Utah Behnken Field House, Free Live Video
The Dustdevils opened the year 0-4 at the South Central Classic last weekend in Durant, Okla. TAMIU won the opening set in a pair of matches but failed to capture a victory from the second set on. The Dustdevils bring in a .094 hitting percentage, averaging 9.4 kills and 13.0 kills per set. Ramey Gardner leads the team with 36 kills, while Alexis Villa hits at a .203 clip with 29 kills. FHSU has played the Dustdevils once, a 3-0 Tiger victory in Canyon, Texas eight years ago (8/29/08).
FHSU vs. Western New Mexico
Friday, September 9, 7 p.m. All-time series tied, 1-1
Salt Lake City, Utah Behnken Field House, Free Live Video
The Mustangs enter the Westminster Invitational with a 3-2 record after opening the year 3-1 at the Point Loma Seaside Invitational in San Diego, Calif. Junior Heather Verrill earned a spot on the All-Tournament team after leading the team with 50 kills and a .443 attack percentage. WNMU hold an attack percentage of .257 this season, averaging 12.3 kills per set while blocking 2.1 attempts per set. The Mustangs have three setters with 20 or more assists on the year, led by Melanie Hughes’ 83. Senior middle blocker Shannon Rich paces the team with 19 total blocks. The teams have met twice in history, with the Mustangs capturing a 3-0 victory in the most recent contest (9/1/00).
FHSU vs. Westminster College
Saturday, September 10, 1 p.m. First meeting
Salt Lake City, Utah Behnken Field House, Free Live Video
The Griffins went winless at the Springhill Suites Invitational in Anchorage, Alaska to start the 2016 season, finishing 0-4. WC currently holds an attack percentage of .128, picking up 9.4 kills and 14.5 digs per set. Amara Spere leads the team with 39 points and 33 kills, with Desiree Wickwar hitting a team-best .276. Taylor Gustafson (60 assists) and Emilie Austin (48 assists) will split duties at the setter position. Megan Gallegos averages 4.08 digs per set to lead the team. This will be the first meeting between FHSU and Westminster.
FHSU vs. Minot State
Saturday, September 10, 5 p.m. FHSU leads all-time series, 1-0
Salt Lake City, Utah Behnken Field House, Free Live Video
Minot State travels to Salt Lake City after accumulating a 3-1 record at the Bulldog Bash in Seward, Neb. last weekend. The Beavers hit .155 as a team, making 1.9 blocks and 2.0 service aces per set. Five Beavers have 20 or more kills, led by Shelby Spuller with 35. Hayley Swain hits at a .333 rate to lead the team, with Kelsey Dewulf throwing up a team-best 4.33 assists per set. Cindy Pelo picks up 3.73 digs per set, tops on the squad. The Tigers picked up a 3-0 sweep in the lone meeting between the two teams in 2011 (9/3/11).
*Note: All times listed are CDT, though the team will be playing in the Mountain Time Zone*