By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
A late push from the Central Oklahoma Bronchos was enough to overpower the Fort Hays State volleyball team Friday (Sept. 27), 3-1 (20-25, 25-20, 19-25, 11-25). Fort Hays State tied things up at 1-1 with a win in the second set, but the Broncho offense took over after the intermission.
The Tigers move to 4-7 overall and 1-2 in MIAA play, while UCO is now 10-3 on the year and 2-1 in league action.
Central Oklahoma jumped out to an early 10-6 lead in the opening set before an 11-4 blitz pushed the Tigers in front, 17-14. The Bronchos responded by scoring the next nine points and ultimately took the frame 25-20.
The Tigers battled back to level the match thanks to a big second set from Isabelle Reynolds. After subbing in with the Tigers trailing 6-5, the sophomore tallied three quick kills to help the FHSU jump in front 13-8. Two more kills from Reynolds, a pair of service aces and a solo block from Tatum Bartels helped the Tigers maintain their lead late in the set before Abbie Hayes clinched the win with a service ace.
After being outhit in the first two sets, .165-.140, the Central Oklahoma offense came to life in the third and fourth frames. The Bronchos posted a .352 attack percentage in the final two sets to secure the victory.
Fort Hays State accumulated a .120 attack percentage (42-24-150) on the night, while the Bronchos countered with a .236 swing rate (56-19-157).
Reynolds led the team with 12 kills, with Delaney Humm adding 10 and Morgan Christiansen totaling nine. Katie Darnell tossed up 33 assists and added 15 digs. Christiansen (one solo) and Morgan West totaled three blocks each while Abbie Hayes led the way with 16 digs. Humm added a season-high 15 digs for her third-consecutive double-double.
The Tigers will look to get back to .500 in conference play Saturday (Sept. 28) when Newman makes the trip to Hays. First serve is set for 2 p.m. from Gross Memorial Coliseum.