FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENT
HAYS, Kan. – Currently sitting in sixth in the MIAA standings, the Fort Hays State volleyball team has a prime opportunity to climb in the ranks this week when it hits the road for a pair of league contests. The Tigers will visit Lindenwood on Thursday (Oct. 20) before traveling to play at No. 15 Central Missouri on Friday (Oct. 21).
The Tigers enter the weekend 19-6 overall and 5-5 in MIAA play, one-half game behind the Jennies (15-6, 5-4). FHSU has picked up the most kills (1210) and assists (1135) in NCAA Division II while ranking second with 208 total blocks to date. The Tigers’ .229 attack percentage is fourth-best in the conference.
Individually, setter Hannah Wagy leads the nation with 949 assists, ranking third in the conference and 11th in DII with 11.43 assists per set. Outside hitter Crystal Whitten leads the conference with 4.07 kills per set, ranking fourth nationally with 350 total kills. Junior Callie Christensen tops the league with 1.21 blocks per set while her 104 total blocks rank fifth in the country. Rebekah Spainhour has accumulated a .351 hitting percentage through 25 matches, fifth-best in the conference.
Fort Hays State at Lindenwood Thursday, October 20 5 p.m. All-time series tied, 4-4
St. Charles, Mo. Hyland Arena
Lindenwood holds an 8-11 record on the season and is tied for seventh in the MIAA at 4-5, one-half game behind the Tigers. Fort Hays State swept the Lady Lions in their meeting earlier this month inside Gross Memorial Coliseum (10/1/16).
The Lady Lions rank in the bottom four in the conference with a .158 attack percentage this season and have recorded the fewest total blocks in the league (113). Both Jessica Krygsheld and Alex Dahlstrom contribute over 2.5 kills per set, while Allyson Clancy leads the team with 10.1 assists per game. Sarah Makowski and Alex Bogusz are tied for the team lead with 49 blocks each.
While the all-time series is knotted up at four wins apiece, the Lady Lions hold a slim 2-1 lead against the Tigers inside Hyland Arena.
Fort Hays State at #15 Central Missouri Friday, October 21 7 p.m. UCM leads all-time series, 24-2
Warrensburg, Mo. UCM Multipurpose Building
The Jennies will be looking for revenge after the Tigers topped UCM for just the second time in program history back on September 30, prevailing in four sets. After opening the season 12-2 heading into the match in Hays, the Jennies are now 15-6 on the year after dropping four of their last seven matches.
The perennial powers rank third in the league with a .240 attack percentage and an average of 13.8 kills per set. Both Kasey Holen (.355) and Kourtney Thompson (.335) rank in the top-six in hitting percentage in the league, while Cheyanne Lyons sits in sixth with an average of 3.31 kills per frame.