By FHSU Sports Information
EMPORIA, Kan. – The Fort Hays State volleyball team struggled to get things going against Emporia State Saturday (Sept. 15), falling to the Hornets in straight sets. The Tigers are now 6-8 on the year and 0-2 in MIAA play, while ESU is also 6-8 this season and improves to 1-1 through the opening weekend of league action.
Christianna Herron and Azlyn Cassaday combined for a block on the opening play of the match, one of eight denials for the Tigers on the night. The lead would be short-lived, as the Hornets went on a big run to go in front 10-4. FHSU responded with four-straight points to cut within two, 10-8, but the home team took 15 of the final 21 points to run away with the opening set, 25-14. Emporia State led wire-to-wire in the second set, heading into the locker room with a two-set advantage after a 25-15 win.
Back-to-back service aces from Cassaday handed FHSU a 3-2 lead in the third set, but the Tigers were unable to keep pace with ESU as the Hornets quickly established a double-digit lead, 19-8. The teams traded points before a Hornet block wrapped up the match, 25-15.
Cassaday (eight kills) and Isabelle Reynolds (seven kills) combined for all but one kill for the Tigers. Abbie Hayes led both sides with 17 digs while Tatum Bartels tallied four blocks (one solo).
The Tigers will travel to Kearney, Neb. in search of their first MIAA win on Tuesday (Sept. 18) when they take on the top-ranked Lopers at 6 p.m.