By FHSU Sports Information
SHAWNEE, Okla. – The Fort Hays State volleyball team couldn’t quite get over the hump in either match of Saturday’s MIAA-GAC Crossover (Sept. 8), falling to Southern Nazarene and Northwestern Oklahoma State in highly-competitive sets. The Tigers scored at least 19 points in all six sets on the day and dropped four of the six by just two points.
Fort Hays State wraps up non-conference play 6-6 overall, while the Crimson Storm move to 5-7 on the year and NWOSU is now 10-4.
Southern Nazarene 3, Fort Hays State 0 (24-26, 25-27, 23-25)
The Tigers opened the day against Southern Nazarene, battling to the bitter end of each set in the 3-0 loss. Fort Hays State had a set point opportunity in each of the first two frames, but the SNU stormed back each time to steal the win. The teams were knotted up at 23-23 in the final set before the Crimson Storm secured the win on a service ace.
Fort Hays State had a slightly higher attack percentage than the Crimson Storm (.132-.131) in the loss. Tatum Bartels recorded a team-high 10 kills to go along with five blocks, five digs and a service ace.
Northwestern Oklahoma State (21-25, 23-25, 19-25)
Fort Hays State got in its own way against Northwestern Oklahoma State, recording 27 attack errors to allow the Rangers to pull away with a three-set sweep. The Tigers picked up five more kills than NWOSU in the opening frame, 16-11, but 10 attack errors handed the Rangers a 1-0 lead.
The teams went back-and-forth in the second set, with the lead changing hands 10 times. The Tigers led as late as 20-19, but three more attack errors helped NWOSU take the frame, 25-23.
The Tigers looked to bounce back after capturing the first four points of the third set, but NWOSU responded with an 8-1 run. Fort Hays State answered with four-consecutive points once again, taking a 9-8 lead, before the Rangers started pulling away to finish the sweep, 25-19.
Azlyn Cassaday posted her second double-double of the season, leading the team with 16 kills while adding 12 digs and a pair of service aces.
With their non-conference schedule behind them, the Tigers will open MIAA play next weekend when they travel to Topeka to take on Washburn Friday (Sept. 14) at 6 p.m.