BY CHRISTIAN PHILLIPS
PHOTOS BY ALLISON SCHWEIZER
The FHSU Volleyball team closed out their 2018 season at home over the weekend, playing host to Northwest Missouri State on Friday, and Missouri Western State on Saturday.
Fort Hays State vs Northwest Missouri State
The Tigers outing against NWMSU on Friday was a one-sided affair for most of the match.
Fort Hays was hoping for some home court advantage, but a slow start caused the momentum to swing the other way. The first two sets were decided by a difference of 16 points and the third set was a must win to stay alive.
The Tigers entered the third set with some much-needed urgency and it fueled a strong start.
NWMSU regained their footing and jumped out to an 18-13 lead that resulted in a Tigers timeout.
Coming out of the timeout, Fort Hays was able to bring the set to within 3 points (20-23); this forced NW Missouri to call a timeout after the Tigers’ 7-5 run.
The Tigers were in striking distance to push the match into a 4th set, but NWMSU came out of the break with purpose and finished them off with a 25-21 win.
Fort Hays State vs Missouri Western
The Tigers were back in action on Saturday and it was an emotional affair as the Tigers said goodbye to some beloved seniors on Senior Day. Saturday was the final match for Azlyn Cassaday, Madison Elwood, Becca Paige, Abby Groth, and Ashley Webb.
Fort Hays got off to a fast start against Missouri Western and things seemed to be very different compared to Friday night. The Tigers were very vocal and the whole team was playing with a competitive edge taking the first set, 25-20.
Missouri Western (14-16) seemed flustered and unaware of the ball in the first set and it was important that coach Marian Carbin get her team back on track.
Mental errors caused Missouri Western to call a quick timeout as FHSU jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the second set. FHSU quickly found themselves down 14-13 after the initial timeout. Missouri Western would not give up any confidence and they would grind out a win 25-21 in the 2nd set.
After Missouri Western won the second set, you could feel a different vibe. The Griffons dominated the third set, winning 25-15.
Missouri Western went on to win the 4th set 25-19 as they wrapped up their three-set rebound for the win over the Fort Hays State Tigers on Senior night.
After Saturday’s game head coach of the Tigers, Jessica Wood-Atkins, had some kind words about the senior class.
“I think the seniors had a very difficult job this year coming in with a new coaching staff and also a different system. They had a choice whether to embrace that or fight it and they embraced it fully and I think they were tremendous leaders for our team,” Wood-Atkins said. “They bought into the system, they kept working hard and they really set the pace for the younger crew in how to work hard, how to stay committed and how to stay positive.”
Wood-Atkins also said the senior class has done a good job preparing the younger members of the team for a larger role in the coming years.
“As far as players stepping into their roles next year I think you have some kids ready to step onto the court in those roles,” she said. “I think our Freshman crew and Sophomore class are really ready. They got a lot of time this season and I think you’ll see them get more time next season. So, I think they are ready for it and this year was really good for them and it taught them a lot and that maturity is gonna go a long way.”
Looking ahead to next season, Wood-Atkins had some words about her first incoming recruiting class.
“I think that the recruits that we have coming in all come from winning programs, they definitely have a winning mentality and they are fighters,” Wood-Atkins said. “We have the fighters on our team now, I just think they are going to build on to what we have here. The other thing is, I think we kinda keyed in with this recruiting class as a strong blocking class and so they are going to bring a whole new level of net game which will be exciting to see for us.”
