Courtesy of FHSU Athletics
HAYS, Kan. – The 2017 season gets underway this week for the Fort Hays State volleyball team as it travels to Sioux Falls, S.D. for the Country Inn & Suites Invitational. The Tigers open the season with four matches, two each on Friday and Saturday (Sept. 1-2).
The Tigers face off with Arkansas-Fort Smith to start the year at 11:30 a.m. Friday before meeting up with tournament host Sioux Falls at 7 p.m. Day two opens with a 9 a.m. matchup against Black Hills State before wrapping up against William Jewell at 4:30 p.m.
This is the third time in the last seven years that the Tigers have made the trip to Sioux Falls for an early season crossover. FHSU is 5-3 in the Gateway to the Plains under head coach Kurt Kohler after finishing 2-2 in the NSIC Challenge in 2014 and winning three out of four matches in the Active Ankle Invitational in 2011.
The Tigers are a combined 6-1 against this weekend’s opponents, including a 3-0 mark with Kohler at the helm.
Fort Hays State put together one of its strongest NCAA DII seasons last year, reaching 25 wins for just the third time since 1992. The Tigers won a program-record 11 MIAA matches, tying for fourth in the conference standings. It was Kohler’s third 20-win season, the most for any coach during the NCAA DII era.
The Tigers return 10 letter winners from a year ago, including All-MIAA performer Callie Christensen, Sydney Dixon, Azlyn Cassaday and Kailey Klibbe. Christensen earned second team All-MIAA honors after leading the league in blocks last season, ranking 10th in the country with 149 total blocks. Dixon accumulated 173 kills last year after earning All-MIAA honors as a freshman in 2015. Cassaday recorded 210 digs a year ago, adding 11 service aces and 30 kills. Klibbe served as FHSU’s libero for much of last season, ranking second on the team with 3.49 digs per set.
Kohler has added 14 newcomers for the 2017 season, including 11 freshmen and three transfers, that will have the opportunity to contribute right away.
FHSU vs. Arkansas-Fort Smith Friday, September 1 11:30 a.m. First meeting
Sioux Falls, S.D. Stewart Center
This will be the first-ever meeting between the Tigers and Lions. UAFS went 24-6 a year ago, earning a spot in the NCAA Division II Tournament for the third year in a row after reaching the Elite Eight in 2014 and 2015. However, the Lions lost all seven starters from last season’s squad. Their top offensive returner is outside hitter Anna Demmer, who totaled 101 kills and 25 blocks as a freshman. UAFS is the preseason favorite to win the Heartland Conference and is receiving votes in the initial AVCA Coaches Poll. Head coach Jane Sargent begins her 19th year at the helm of the volleyball team, entering the season with 612 career victories to her name.
FHSU at Sioux Falls Friday, September 1 7:00 p.m. FHSU leads all-time series, 2-0
Sioux Falls, S.D. Stewart Center
The Tigers will wrap up day one against tournament host Sioux Falls. FHSU is 2-0 against the Cougars, with both victories coming on the road. The most recent meeting took place in 2014, with the Tigers scratching out a five-set victory after winning the fifth set, 18-16. The Cougars lost three starters off last year’s team that went 19-10 and finished seventh in the NSIC. They return a pair of second team All-NSIC performers in outside hitter Makenna Rockeman and middle hitter Lexi Scott, while junior Bria Barfnecht was tabbed as a Player to Watch in the NSIC this season. USF was ranked seventh in the preseason NSIC Coaches Poll, tied for its best preseason ranking. Head coach Joel McCartney enters his seventh year of coaching the Cougars, bringing in an 82-68 career record at USF.
FHSU vs. Black Hills State Saturday, September 2 9:00 a.m. FHSU leads all-time series, 2-0
Sioux Falls, S.D. Stewart Center
Fort Hays State opens day two with an early-morning matchup against Black Hills State. The Tigers are 2-0 against the Yellow Jackets, with both previous matches coming on a neutral floor. The most recent meeting was also played in the Stewart Center on the campus of the University of Sioux Falls in 2011, with FHSU claiming a four-set victory. BHSU returns five starters from a team that finished 8-18 a year ago, tying for 10th in the final RMAC standings. Middle hitter Cheyenne Palu earned honorable mention All-RMAC honors last season after leading the team with 153 blocks and ranking third with 183 kills. The Yellow Jackets were picked to finish 10th in the RMAC Preseason Coaches Poll. Head coach Kristin Carmichael begins her fourth season as the leader of BHSU volleyball in 2017 looking to add to her 25 career victories.
FHSU vs. William Jewell Saturday, September 2 4:30 p.m. FHSU leads all-time series, 2-1
Sioux Falls, S.D. Stewart Center
The Tigers will wrap up the opening weekend with a match against William Jewell. The Tigers and Cardinals have not played since 1982, with FHSU holding a 2-1 lead in the all-time series. The Cardinals turned in a 12-20 record last season, good for 12th in the GLVC. Libero Olivia Tolberd returns after earning first team All-GLVC honors a year ago, ranking fourth in the conference and leading WJC with 5.29 digs per set (630 digs). The Cardinals also return five other starters from last season. Carolyn Raynes is heading into her fourth year as head volleyball coach at WJC, bringing in 23 career victories.