FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State volleyball team will take short break from MIAA play to host a pair of non-conference matches Tuesday evening (Oct. 11) inside Gross Memorial Coliseum. Both Oklahoma Panhandle State and Northwestern Oklahoma State will make the trip to Hays. The Tigers will face off with OPSU to open the day at 3 p.m. before the both visiting programs go at it in a neutral site affair scheduled to start at 5 p.m. The evening will end with FHSU matching up with NWOSU at 7 p.m.
The Tigers will be hosting their Fifth Annual Pass, Set, Pink Night on Tuesday, with limited edition t-shirts ($10) and a variety of silent auction items available for purchase. All proceeds from the event go to support the Dig Pink scholarship, awarded annually to an FHSU student directly affected by cancer. More information on the event can be found HERE.
Fort Hays State carries a 16-5 overall record into the tri-match, including wins over both opposing teams already this season. The Tigers are a combined 33-0 against the schools all-time.
Through 21 matches, the Tigers still lead the conference in team kills (1015), assists (955), total blocks (183) and digs (1257), ranking in the top three in the nation in kills, assists and blocks. Crystal Whitten’s 3.99 kills per set are the most in the conference and would rank seventh in program history since joining NCAA DII. The senior’s 291 total kills rank eighth nationally. Callie Christensen has picked up the fifth-most blocks in the country with 91, leading the MIAA in both blocks and swats per set (1.23). Hannah Wagy has recorded 800 assists so far this season, second only to Wheeling Jesuit’s setter nationally. Rebekah Spainhour ranks fifth in the conference with a .355 attack percentage.
Fort Hays State vs. Oklahoma Panhandle State Tuesday, October 11 3 p.m.
FHSU leads all-time series, 21-0 Hays, Kan. Gross Memorial Coliseum
The Aggies have struggled to a 3-16 record this season, with all three wins coming against NAIA opponents. They have hit .061 as a team to date while allowing their opponents to swing at a .223 clip. Kayln Moore leads the team with 1.84 kills per set and 17 service aces this season. Julia Ibarra handles the setting duties, tossing up 6.8 assists per set.
The Tigers cruised to victory over the Aggies earlier this season in Goodwell, Okla. as a part of the Aggies Challenge, allowing just 25 total points through the three sets (25-5, 25-9, 25-11). The Aggies’ five points in the first set are the fewest allowed in a full set by FHSU in the Kurt Kohler era.
Fort Hays State vs. Northwestern Oklahoma State Tuesday, October 11 7 p.m.
FHSU leads all-time series, 12-0 Hays, Kan. Gross Memorial Coliseum
The Rangers enter Tuesday with a 2-18 record this season and riding a five-game losing skid. NWOSU holds a .139 attack percentage to date, allowing its opponents to hit .227 through 20 matches. Natalie Fahey leads the team with 162 kills, swinging at a .258 rate. Vanessa Maile and Kiauna Clark alternate setting duties, with each averaging more than four assists per set. Jennifer Eubanks and Fahey each perform well at the net on defense, contributing 45 and 42 total blocks, respectively.
The Rangers were one point away from knocking off the Tigers in straight sets in their meeting earlier this season at the Aggies Challenge, but kills from Christensen and Magan Alexander kept the Tigers alive before a Ranger attack error gave the Tigers the set. FHSU then cruised to victory in the last two sets to steal the victory.