By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
WARRENSBURG, Mo. – The 16th-ranked Central Missouri Jennies were too much for the Fort Hays State volleyball team to handle Friday evening (Oct. 5), winning in three sets. The Tigers dip to 6-14 overall and 0-8 in the MIAA, while the Jennies are now 16-4 on the year and 6-2 in league action.
Central Missouri pulled away early in the opening set, taking the frame 25-17, but Fort Hays State kept things close throughout the second frame. The teams traded points for the entirety of the set, including 20 ties, nine lead changes and neither team leading by more than two.
Neither team could put together a big run to pull away, but midway through the Tigers scored three straight to take a two-point lead. A kill from Kayla Vitztum leveled the score at 14-14 before a Jennie error put the Tigers in front once again. Isabelle Reynolds and Ashley Webb combined for a block on the ensuing point, giving FHSU a 16-14 lead.
After the back-and-forth pattern continued, consecutive kills from Azlyn Cassaday and Reynolds brought the Tigers within two points of the set, 23-22. UCM, however, battled back to take the final three points and win the frame, 25-23.
The Jennies came out of the locker room on a mission, taking seven of the first eight points in the third set en route to a 25-13 victory to seal the match.
Tatum Bartels, Cassaday, Webb and Morgan West all led the squad after posting six kills each, with Bartels adding three block assists. Bre Becker tossed up 17 assists, adding five digs and one kill. Abbie Hayes led the team with 17 digs.
Fort Hays State compiled a .148 attack percentage in the loss, highlighted by a .196 swing rate in the second set. UCM totaled a .274 attack rate as a team, including 18 kills from Audrey Fisher.
The Tigers will wrap up the road trip Saturday (Oct. 6) with a 2 p.m. match against Lindenwood in St. Charles, Mo.