BY TRISTAN SASSE
The Fort Hays State volleyball team traveled to North Canton, Ohio this past week. The Tigers played a total of five games in three days against tough competition from all over the Eastern U.S.
On Thursday, FHSU swept Roberts Wesleyan College of New York in the first game of the Cavalier Classic. In dominant fashion, the Tigers won by scores of 25-18, 25-22, and 25-10. Sophomore Hitter Magan Alexander led the Tigers with 11 kills on the night.
The Tigers faced tougher competition on Friday. In the first game, Fort Hays played Seton Hill. FHSU won the first set, 25-21, before Seton Hill won the next three in commanding fashion (25-17, 25-17, and 25-16). Seton Hill University is currently 7-1 on the season.
The second game of the day was similar for the Tigers. Fort Hays faced the host of the event, Walsh University. Once again, the Tigers were victorious in the first set before dropping the next three. Like SHU, Walsh entered the Cavalier Classic with a strong record to start the season. By weekend’s end, WU had improved to 6-2.
Saturday morning, the Tigers had similar results early on. The University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown was able to sweep Fort Hays (22-25, 17-25, and 22-25). FHSU gave up 11 service aces and also tallied 20 attacking errors in the game.
On a lighter note, the Tigers were able to complete the Cavalier Classic with another win. In the final game before heading back to Hays, FHSU defeated West Liberty University in 5 sets (25-9, 22-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-12). Fort Hays has already gone the distance in sets four times this season, only one less than last year’s total.
After a tough weekend of action in Ohio, the Tigers dropped to 4-5 on the season. The Tigers will once again be on the road this Thursday. Fort Hays travels to Oklahoma this week and will again play five games in three days. The Tigers will begin MIAA action on Friday, September 22, against Emporia State.