The Fort Hays State University volleyball team returns to action this weekend at the Cavalier Classic in North Canton, Ohio, hosted by Walsh University. The Tigers look to improve upon their 2-2 record with five matches in a three-day span (Sept. 7-9).
The Black and Gold open the weekend Thursday against Roberts Wesleyan College at 6 p.m. (7 p.m. ET) before playing two matches Friday and Saturday. The Tigers will meet up with Seton Hill (9 a.m., 10 a.m. ET) and Walsh (6 p.m., 7 p.m. ET) on Friday before wrapping up the weekend against Pittsburgh-Johnstown (8 a.m., 9 a.m. ET) and West Liberty (12 p.m., 1 p.m. ET) on Saturday.
The Tigers have never faced off against any of the five opponents in program history.
Callie Christensen opened the season where she left off in 2016, leading the MIAA with 30 total blocks over the opening weekend. She also leads the Tigers among qualified hitters with a .218 attack percentage, picking up 39 kills. Libero Taylor White paced the team with 81 digs through the four matches last week, also best in the MIAA. Logan Wallick and Kylie Rollman both picked up a team-high 48 kills over the opening weekend.
FHSU vs. Roberts Wesleyan College Thursday, September 7 6 p.m. (7 p.m. ET) First meeting
North Canton, Ohio Cecchini Center
The Redhawks are 0-5 so far this season, winning just two sets to date. RWC returns four starters from last year’s team that finished 9-15. Senior Courtney Taylor leads the team offensively with 25 kills and a .200 attack percentage.
FHSU vs. Seton Hill Friday, September 8 9 a.m. (10 a.m. ET) First meeting
North Canton, Ohio Cecchini Center
The Griffins head into the tournament 4-0 after sweeping all four opponents at the Virginia State Tournament last weekend. Senior Maggie Murray leads SHU with 61 assists and a .571 attack percentage, knocking down 16 kills and making zero errors. Freshman Viktoria Farian was the leading force on offense, totaling 39 kills (3.25 per set) over her first weekend of collegiate action.
FHSU at Walsh Friday, September 8 6 p.m. (7 p.m. ET) First meeting
North Canton, Ohio Cecchini Center
The Cavaliers opened the season 3-1 at the Rebich Investment Invitational in Edinboro, Pa. Paola Ferrario and Olivia Zanolli each earned All-Tournament honors after Ferrario recorded 45 kills, 29 digs and six blocks and Zanolli tallied 143 assists, 35 digs, 11 total blocks and 12 kills.
FHSU vs. Pittsburgh-Johnstown Saturday, September 9 8 a.m. (9 a.m. ET) First meeting
North Canton, Ohio Cecchini Center
The Mountain Cats enter the Cavalier Classic 4-1 this season after opening the year with three wins at the season-opening Quality Inn Ashland University Tournament in Ashland, Ohio last weekend. A pair of Mountain Cats were named to the All-Tournament Team in Noelle Carota and Devan Orr. Carota led the team with a .426 hitting percentage, totaling 27 kills, six digs and five blocks while Orr paced the team with 64 digs and added four service aces and 13 assists.
FHSU vs. West Liberty Saturday, September 9 12 p.m. (1 p.m. ET) First meeting
North Canton, Ohio Cecchini Center
The Hilltoppers head into the weekend 4-1 after dropping a midweek contest to Indiana University of Pennsylvania. WLU won four matches at the Long Island Invitational in Brookville, N.Y. to open the season, dropping just four sets. Raimey Benson leads the Hilltoppers with 51 kills while Stephanie Leonard leads the way with a .302 attack percentage.
